Stanley Jackson Thornton, Sr. was born Thursday, November 7, 1957, in Parkview Hospital, Rocky Mount, N.C. to the late Stonewall Jackson Thornton and Garteen Davis Thornton.

He received his education in the Halifax County Schools and graduated from Enfield High School in 1976. As a youth, he found joy in hunting and playing basketball at the local parks. Also learning the tools of the trade working with his dad doing carpentry.

At an early age, Stanley began his Christian walk by attending Sunday School and various activities at St. Paul Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Frank L. Bullock.

Stanley is characterized as a hard worker, starting after high school at an entry level position at Abbott Laboratories and worked his way to a lab technician for 15 years. During that time on May 6, 1982, Stanley married the love of his life, Patricia Whitaker Thornton in Halifax NC. The union was blessed with three beautiful children.  In the course of their marriage, Stanley and Patricia became members of Crowell Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral advisory of Rev. Gregory L. Evans.

After leaving Abbott Laboratories, Stanley gained employment at Barcolounger where he used his carpentry skills previously learned from his father. Upon their closing, he then obtained employment as the head custodian at Rocky Mount Senior High in the Nash County School system. There, he took pride in making sure his school was in tip top shape.

Stanley loved his family unconditionally and leaves to cherish his memory his devoted and loving wife, Patricia of 42 years in which the love they shared will live on forever; his three children: Derrick Whitaker (Nikita) of Raleigh, NC, Stanley Thornton Jr. (Sheronda) of Knightdale, NC, and Patrice Staples (Kevin) of Raleigh, NC; Papa's heartbeats: Jaylen, Darique, KeOra, Londyn, Serenity, KJ, and Kamia; one great-grand, J'anelle Ivey. He also leaves three siblings, Olga Dickens, Matilda Lewter (Tony), and Steve Thornton; two sisters in love, Karen Harrison (Tim), and Debra Parnell; two Goddaughters, Sharon Cofield and Jarquelia Whitaker; one God Son, Sean Battle; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pops instilled in his three children, his famous quote "If you do it right the first time, you won't have to do it again!!"

A funeral Service was held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 1:00 pm at St. Paul Baptist Church, 421 S. McDaniel Street, Enfield, North Carolina. Burial followed in the Cedarview Cemetery, 258 Meyer Street, Enfield, North Carolina.  A Public Viewing was held on Monday, June 3, 2024 in the Lea and Pope Funeral Home Chapel, 215 S. McDaniel Street, Enfield, North Carolina, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Arrangements were handled by Lea and Pope Funeral Home, Enfield, North Carolina. Send condolences to www.leapopefuneralhome.com.