Mr. Howard "Gene" Thornton, Sr., 82, of Fruitdale, AL passed from this life Sunday, July 25, 2021 at his residence. He was born in Yellow Pine, AL on Friday, August 12, 1938 to Alex Thornton and Della Thornton. He was a member of Yellow Pine Baptist Church. Mr. Gene served in the United States Army Reserve and was a Veteran. He had worked as a Chemical Operator at Ciba-Geigy Corporation. Mr. Gene is preceded in death by his first wife, Polly Thornton; father, Alex Thornton; mother, Della Thornton; sister, Rose Dearmon. He is survived by his wife, Doris L. Thornton, Fruitdale, AL; son, Howard Thornton, Jr. (Sylvia), Buckatunna, MS; two step sons, Charles Garland (Sally), Yellow Pine, AL, Mark Garland (Kelly), Fruitdale, AL; daughter  Charlotte Young (Terry), State Line, MS; two step daughters, Joan Deese (George), Yellow Pine, AL, Nina Brown (Kevin), Fruitdale, AL; three brothers, Rev. Frank Thornton (Willie), Fruitdale, AL, Bruce Thornton (Bernice), Glen Thornton (Pam), both of State Line, MS; five sisters, Lillian Webb, Calvert, AL, Marie Hall (Roger), Gladys Delk (Tommy), Brenda Crager (Larry), all of State Line, MS, Phyllis Thornton, Fruitdale, AL; five grandchildren; 12 step grandchildren; a host of great grandchildren. Visitation for Mr. Gene will be held from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at Thornton Cemetery, Nursery Road, State Line, MS. Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at Thornton Cemetery in State Line, MS with Bro. Willie Williams officiating.