Permelia Violet Leavell Thornton

Permelia Violet Leavell Thornton, 80, went home to her Lord and Savior on October 2, 2021, in Ocean Springs, MS, surrounded by her loving family. Violet was born in Columbus, GA on August 10, 1941, to Anderson Reid Leavell and Jane Elizabeth Leavell Mulligan. She grew up most of her childhood in Jackson, MS, with her 3 siblings, graduated from Central High School, and married the love of her life, Robert Franklin Thornton. Violet moved to Ocean Springs in 2004 where she joined St. Paul United Methodist Church. She was an active member of the church and participated, for many years, in the Ocean Springs Church Women's ministry. Violet was a devoted woman of God who loved her Lord, family, and friends unconditionally and welcomed all with an open heart and arms to give all that she could. She used her gifts of cooking, sewing, and quilting to spread the love of Christ. Violet was preceded in death by her parents, Anderson Reid Leavell, Jane Elizabeth Mulligan, and Harrison Levi Mulligan. She was also preceded in death by her husband Robert Franklin Thornton; her precious son Andrew (Andy) Franklin Thornton and her grandson-in-law William Auriemma, Jr. Survivors include her daughters, Jamie Ruth Castro (Jessie) of Vancleave, MS and Rebecca Faye Hennessey (Bill) of Ocean Springs, MS; her grandchildren – Morgan Danielle Shiyou (Steven) of Ocean Springs, MS, Zamna Cristal Castro, Long Beach, MS, Lindsey Elizabeth Plash (Kevin), Ocean Spring, MS, and Nicole Hennessey Auriemma, Ocean Springs, MS; her great-grandchildren – Anthony Seth Vidallon, Lydia Vidallon, Bella Garcia-Castro, Reece Shiyou, Ryder Shiyou, Samantha Auriemma, Cayce Auriemma, Remy Rose Shiyou, and Judith Penelope Plash; Sisters – Annette (Missy) Cagle and Elizabeth Dungan, Jackson, MS; Brother – John Mulligan (Nina), Jackson, MS. Services for Violet (Granny) Thornton will be held Thursday, October 14, 2021, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (Downtown Campus) 800 Porter Ave. Ocean Springs, MS. Visitation for friends and family will take place from 11:00-11:30 am, with the memorial service to follow at 11:30 am. Her ashes will be buried in Gulde Cemetery at the feet of her husband and son in Gulde, MS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating in memory of Violet to St. Paul’s UMC 800 Porter Ave., Ocean Springs, MS 39564. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral home is honored to serve the family of Permelia Violet Leavell Thornton.