Gladys Mae Johnson Thornton peacefully departed this life on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at Riverside Walter Reed Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester, Va. 

She was born on Dec. 21, 1918, the seventh of 13 children, born to the union of Shelly and Julia Robinson Johnson of Montague, Va.

At an early age, Gladys accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior and became a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Center Cross, Va. While working in Pennsylvania, she met and married Earl Thornton Sr. of Urbanna, Va., who preceded her in death in March 1995.

God’s mission for her was completed on Jan. 9. So, on that calm, rainy Saturday afternoon, surrounded by friends and family, God called and she answered.

Three of her 12 children, Leroy, Janie Victory Cauthorne and Ella Harriett, preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory a brother, Brooksy Johnson (Agnes); a sister, Hattie B. Carroll;  two sisters-in-law, Essie Johnson and Jo Ann Johnson, all of Philadelphia, Pa.; one brother-in-law, Walter Noel of Tappahannock, Va.; nine children, Virginia D. Harris, Earlene Cochran (Leroy) and William Thornton, all of Philadelphia, Earl Thornton Jr. and Frederick Thornton of Middlesex County, Inez Thornton of Richmond, Va., Connie Bagby (Albert) of King & Queen County, Clementine Henry of Newport News, Va., and Hilda Green (Kenneth) of Plainfield, N.J.; 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; her roommate and dear friend, Ms. Corbin and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, 6-8 p.m., at Redmond Funeral Home in Shacklefords, Va. The funeral will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, noon, at Lebanon Baptist Church, Saluda, Va., Pastor Teresa Sutherland, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the Lebanon Baptist Church.