Erianne Usry Thornton

Mrs. Erianne Usry Thornton, age 95, of Smithville, passed away on Thursday morning, January 14, 2016, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. Funeral services are planned for 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 16, at Leslie United Methodist Church, with Rev. Scott Tucker and Rev. Guy Mathis officiating. Burial will follow in Smithville Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, January 15, between the hours of 5:00 & 7:00 PM, at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. Born October 5, 1920 in Atlanta, she was a daughter of the late Eulus E. Chance and Erin Wells Chance (later Erin Evans). Mrs. Thornton was a retired Registered Nurse, having worked in private nursing and also at Sumter Regional Hospital and Magnolia Manor. Prior to becoming an LPN in the 1960's from South Georgia Technical College, and then an RN in the 1970's from Georgia Southwestern College, she held clerical positions at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, during the 1950's, where she was affectionately known as "Peanuts", and at the Farmers Home Administration during the 1960's. Mrs. Thornton was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was involved with the Kairos Prison Ministry. Survivors include a daughter, Charlene Usry of Smithville; a son, Robert E. "Bob" Usry (Betsy) of Smithville; a daughter-in-law, Martha Usry of Smithville; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and other family members including Mayson Bissell, Rebecca "Becky" Shauf (Al), and Patsy Thornton, numerous step-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Charles D. Usry in 1969 and B.I. Thornton, Jr. in 1999; by her son, Hiram Usry in 2003; and by two step-children: Neal Hawley and Ben Thornton. For those wishing to do so, memorial contriutions may be made to Leslie United Methodist Church, 111 East Allen Street, Leslie, GA 31764. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mrs. Erianne Usry Thornton.