Ophelia McNeese Thornton

Ophelia Thornton, 94, of Murray, Kentucky, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 17th at Spring Creek Health Care, with her daughter, Edna, at her side.

She was born on January 9, 1932, in Huntsville, AL to Earl Hereford and Georgia Hereford Hillis, the oldest of 11 siblings. Ophelia was a faithful Christian and a member of Mount Hebron Holiness Church. She lived a life rooted in faith, love, and simple joys, and was known as a sweet woman of prayer who lifted up every need, big or small, even praying for her animals.

Ophelia was a hardworking and loving woman who enjoyed a simple life. She enjoyed walking daily for many years and always took on the hard work, whether cooking, cleaning, or tending the yard. She went blackberry picking and was known for her jam, cobblers, dill pickles, fried pies, and tea cakes. She enjoyed eating good Southern food and time with family. She also had a special love for animals and cared for any that came her way. She dearly loved her daughter, Edna, and her grandchildren, and was blessed to always live near them.

She was known by many names, Mama, Mawmaw, Teet, and Opie, and will be remembered for her love, her prayers, her sweet smile, her wave, and the blown kisses she shared with everyone.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Winford Leon McNeese and Albert Thornton; three sisters, Ozene Hereford, Cena Wheir, and Peggy Hereford; and two brothers, Walter Hereford and Frank Hereford.

She is survived by her daughter, Edna McNeese Heggemeier (Cecil) of Murray, KY; her granddaughters, Tammy Wright (Jason) and Amanda Jones, both of Kirksey, KY; her great-grandchildren, Brooke Wright and Jake Jones Riley, both of Kirksey, KY; two sisters, Alta Drake of Big Cove, AL, and Shirley Patterson of Gurley, AL; and three brothers, Donald Hereford of New Market, AL, Bobby Hillis of Gurley, AL, and Ricky Hillis of Huntsville, AL.

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, April 19^th, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, at Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm at the funeral home, with Bro. Ronnie Sisk officiating.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Kirksey, KY. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nursing staff at Spring Creek Health Care for going above and beyond in their care, and to Opie’s friends there for the kindness, love, and companionship.

Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home & Cremation Services is privileged to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Thornton. Please share your messages of condolence with the family by signing her virtual guestbook at www.blalockcolemanfuneralhome.com.