Monnie Lewis Thornberry

A Tribute to a Godly Woman “Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” Monnie Lewis Thornberry, age 95, went home to be with her Lord Tuesday May 17, 2016. Monnie was born on February 27, 1921, at Rocky Branch Ky, a daughter of the late Abijah (Bigie) and Verlina Fraley Lewis. As a young girl, Monnie gave her heart to the Lord and throughout her life she maintained a sweet, humble demeanor, and displayed a quiet strength she found in the Lord; this won the hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of a constant nurturing love, of her faith, and of a hope she found only in Christ. Monnie married her sweetheart, the love of her life, George Thornberry on December 15, 1938, and to this union, they were blessed with 10 children. George was unexpectedly called to his eternal home after 21 years of marriage on February 3, 1959, a little more than a month before their last child was born. How does one describe the life of this Godly woman who after the death of her beloved George, became the head of her household, both mother and father, and spiritual leader? A passage in Proverbs 31:10-31 paints an appropriate picture of this precious lady, as her life she lived out, was a true reflection of a virtuous woman: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Monnie’s home was a place for family to gather each Sunday, a place of refuge, a place where she taught her children and grandchildren what love was all about. A woman of faith, and the heart of the Thornberry family, Monnie shaped the spirituality of her family by her Christian example. While not wealthy by social standards, she was rich beyond measure with a love for her Lord, with the love of her family, and with a heart to serve others. Her signature gift of hospitality will never be forgotten. Possessing a true servant’s heart, Monnie faithfully cared for her family and anyone else that walked through the door of her home. She also found joy in providing a delicious meal for all who entered. Her words “let me fix you something to eat,” will always ring in the ears of those who were blessed to sit around her table. Monnie became a member of the Rocky Branch Enterprise Baptist in 1946 and attended various churches in the community until her health made it difficult to go. She loved to praise the Lord through song or while hearing good gospel music. She was blessed with a talent to write songs and poems about her Lord. She enjoyed journaling, reading scripture, and praying. She also enjoyed tending her flowers and garden as well. Monnie was preceded in death by her husband George Thornberry; two daughters Gladys Whitley and Doris Smith; one son Wayne Thornberry; three grandchildren Johnny Ray Whitley, Bobby Barker, and Joshua Thornberry; two great-grandchildren Gage Thornberry and Wyatt Thornberry; five sisters Alice Leadingham, Lizzie Boggs, Edna Boggs, May Gillum, Lena Bell Thornberry; and two brothers Noah Lewis and Emerson Lewis. She is survived by three daughters Lina Faye (Frank) Newell of Westfield Center Ohio, Junice (Jerry) Barker of Burke Ky, and Georgie (Donnie) Ison of Sandy Hook Ky; four sons Amos (Geraldine) Thornberry of Ashland Ky, George Thornberry of Sandy Hook Ky, Jimmy (Brenda) Thornberry of Sandy Hook Ky; and Dean (Ann) Thornberry of Sandy Hook Ky. She is survived by 28 grandchildren, Teresa (Ernie) DeBord, Shirley (Jason) Prater, Regina Eastridge, Veronica Lewis, Crystal Schmerich, Jason Newell, Jarrod Newell, Sandra (Paul) Thornsberry, Jackie (Kim) Whitley, Bill (Johnna) Whitley, Roberta (Rodney) Gilliam, Jerry C. Barker Jr, Angie (Ronnie) Adkins, Milford (Jenny) Thornberry, Dr. Kim (Jeff) Clevenger, Chris (Brittany) Thornberry, Kayla (Ben) Mcgranahan, Brad Thornberry, Felicia Thornberry, Jonathan Thornberry, Terence (Sarah) Thornberry, Andrea (Jamie) Lewis, Ryan (Rebecca) Ison, Bryant (Amber) Ison, Travis Ison; 40 Great-grandchildren, Jessica Dimaggio, Noah Prater, Tessa Prater, Brian Eastridge, Candace Hyer, Alicia Ilius, Zachary Thornsberry, Natasha Thornsberry, Samantha Whitley, Jackie Whitley, Emily Whitley, Jacob Whitley, Jace Whitley, Alex Whitley, Caden Whitley, Rebecca Lyon, Dwayne Gilliam, Jerry Barker, Brittany Barker, Jim Barker, Megan Estep, Lexie Adkins, Trace Thornberry, Trapper Thornberry, Taylor Thornberry, Brayden Clevenger, Jackson Thornberry, Addison McGranahan, Kaleigh Thornberry, Sophia Thornberry, Gunner Thornberry, Jaleigh Lewis, Olivia Litton, Bella Lewis, Page Ison, Cole Ison, Cainan Ison, Lynlee Ison; 11great-great grandchildren, Olivia Ann Eastridge, Danika Mumaw, Hayvyn Hyer, Lexie Pauley, Montana Pauley, Rylie Pauley, Grace Pauley, Lincoln Childers, Wade Rowe, Bella Gilliam, Katie Gilliam; one daughter-in-law, Christine Thornberry; and several brother & sister-in-laws, a host of nieces and nephews, and friends that will mourn her passing. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2016, at Waddell and Whitt Funeral Home in Sandy Hook, Kentucky, with Brother Ennis Lewis Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Elliott County Memory Gardens in Elliott County, Kentucky. Friends may visit from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2016, at Waddell & Whitt Funeral Home, North Highway 32 & 7, Sandy Hook, Kentucky 41171. Pallbearers Milford Thornberry, Chris Thornberry, Jonathan Thornberry, Terence Thornberry, Ryan Ison, Bryant Ison, and Travis Ison Honorary Pallbearers Jack Whitley, Bill Whitley, Jerry C. Barker Jr, Brad Thornberry, Jason Newell, Jarrod Newell, Frank Newell, Donnie Ison, Jerry Barker, Ed Lewis, Clyde Lewis, Junior Lewis

Monnie Lewis Thornberry

February 27, 1921 - May 17, 2016