Joseph David Thornton

Joseph David Thornton, 96, of College Park, MD passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, MD. He was born on October 7, 1918 in Museville, VA to the late Charles P. Thornton and Belle Jefferson Thornton. He was predeceased by his wife, Myrtle Lawrence Thornton; brothers, Renford, Larry, Henry Cabot and Everett; along with a sister, Lizzie Mahan. He is survived by his two sons, Wilbur and his wife Joanne of Fairport, NY, Jeffrey and his wife Janet of Lanham, MD; and a daughter, Patricia Figard and her husband Barry of Clarksville, MD. He also is survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Joseph was a 60 year member of Berwyn Baptist Church, College Park MD. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Holder. After the war he continued US government employment with the Naval Department at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, White Oak, MD, retiring in 1978. Visitation will be held at Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount VA on Monday, March 16, at 1:00 PM with services following at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at the Lawrence-Adkins Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Berwyn Baptist Church, 4720 Cherokee Street College Park, MD 20740. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.