Lola F. Thornton

Lola F. Thornton, age 90, of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of Garnett, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka.   She was born October 8, 1927, near Virgil, Kansas, the daughter of William R. and Mabel E. (Young) Phillips. Lola graduated from Madison High School with the Class of 1944. She continued her education at Kansas State Teacher's College (ESU) where she became certified to teach in a one-room school. Lola taught for three school years. Lola married William H. Thornton on May 25, 1947 in Madison, Kansas. This union was blessed with two sons, William H. and Tony R. Thornton. During her early married life she worked with her husband on various farms in a variety of different roles. When the boys were old enough for school she started working in the cafeteria at USD #365 school district. Soon after she started, she was promoted to Head Cook and supervised the preparation and distribution of 600-700 meals per day. She was heavily involved in her sons activities serving as Sunday School teacher, youth group worker and Cub Scout Den Mother. She was a lifelong Follower of Jesus Christ and was a member of First Christian Church of Garnett, KS. She was very proud of her sons being Ministers of Jesus Christ and enjoyed different opportunities in those Churches where they have served over the years. In July of 2012, she and her husband moved to Brewster Place Retirement Village in Topeka, KS. While in Topeka, KS, they have been involved with the Walnut View Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Freda Gibson and Marilyn Sauder. Lola is survived by her two sons, William H. Thornton and wife Marcia of Lincoln, Nebraska; Tony R. Thornton and wife Camille of Topeka, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Tami Thornton, Jenny Arnold and husband John, Mark Thornton, and Matt Thornton, all of Lincoln, Nebraska; Ryan Thornton of Laredo, Texas, Morgan Fisher and husband Dustin of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Brittney Guzman and husband Alberto of McAllen, Texas; 12 great grandchildren; one sister, Frances Hays of Osawatomie, Kansas; one brother, Robert Phillips and wife Beverly of Lawrence, Kansas; she leaves numerous other family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at First Christian Church, Garnett, with burial following in the Garnett Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett from 6:00 p.m., to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2018. Memorial contributions may be made to Jacob's Well-Haiti. You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .