United States Army Ceremonial Detail 
*x&eaMi 
Women of the M.S.E. Choir 
yfffai Qhw 
Id like the memory of me 
TO BE A HAPPY ONE, 
Id like to leave an afterglow 
OF SMILES WHEN LIFE IS DONE. 
ID LIKE TO LEAVE AN ECHO 
WHISPERING DOWN THE WAYS, 
OF HAPPY TIMES AND LAUGHING TIMES 
AND BRIGHT AND SUNNY DAYS. 
ID LIKE THE TEARS OF THOSE WHO GRIEVE, 
TO DRY BEFORE THE SUN 
OF HAPPY MEMORIES THAT I LEAVE 
When life is done. 
We, the Family of Howard Thornton, Jr.,would like to 
thank everyone for the many expressions of kindness, 
prayers, and love you have shared with us during this 
time of bereavement. We would like to extend special 
appreciation and thanks to neighbor and long time friend, 
SGT. Melvin Brown. 
"Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1922" 
1221 James Brown Boulevard 
Augusta, Georgia 30901 
(706) 722-6401 
Design/Printing By: Augusta Blueprint * Augusta, Georgia * (706) 722-6488 
www.augustafuneralnotices.com 
HOMEGOING SERVICE 
1934 
July 24, 
2, 
201 
Saturday, August 3, 
11:00 A.M. 
Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church 
1556 Maple Street | Augusta, Georgia 
Reverend Christopher Culbreath, I, Pastor - Presiding 
Reverend Shellie Sapp - Officiating 
fffe of $ (fife cf 'Ibfowa'id ^o'mAonfrJT' 
HOWARD THORNTON, JR. was born on May 2,1934 
and departed this life on July 24, 2019. 
Howard served twenty-two years in the United States 
Army. After he retired from the Army, he drove a Big 
Rig for Camrom-Barkley and retired after ten years of 
service. 
He transitioned into retirement well; riding his Harley 
Davidson and bowling. He enjoyed spending time with 
family and friends. He was loved by many. 
He was preceded in death by: his mother, Rose Lee 
Askew; sister, Mildred Billingsley-Malcom; parents, 
Lovett and Minnie Billingsley; and daughter, Lakeisha 
Thorn ton - Dagget. 
He leaves to cherish his memories: sons, Howard 
(Barbara) Thornton, III and Harold C. Thornton; 
nieces, Suzette (Kenneth) Malcom-Jackson, Christa 
(Malcom) Malcom-Gilbert and Janette Malcom; cousin, 
Susie Lester; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great- 
grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and a 
host of family and friends. 
Cjod <aw (Qeffthty (^ed 
God saw you were getting tired, 
and a cure was not to be, 
So He put His arms around you, 
and whispered, Come to me. 
You didnt deserve what you went through, 
So Hegaveyou rest. 
Gods garden must be beautiful, 
He only takes the best. 
And when I saw you sleeping, 
So peaceful and free from pain, 
I could not wish you back, 
To suffer that again. 
*c)ridel of eJtucce 
Presiding, Reverend Christopher Culbreth, I 
Processional............Reverend Dr. Robert Turner, Jr. 
Oh, I want To See Him 
Selection....................GSMBC Combined Choir 
Scriptures 
Old Testament...............Minister Cleo Moseley 
GSMBC 
New Testament......Reverend Dr. Robert Turner, Jr. 
Prayer of Comfort.....Reverend Lorice Oates-Griffin 
Selection..................GSMBC Combined Choir 
Reflections (Limit Three Minutes) 
As A Neighbor............Deacon Melvin Brown, Sr. 
As A Church Member..........Deacon Alvin Melton 
As A Friend....................Mr. Larry Walker 
Faith Outreach Church 
Presentation...................Sister Kilauna Ware 
and Former Sunday School Students 
Acknowledgements...................Sister Kenya Beard 
The Reading of the Life of Howard Thornton, Jr., In Retrospect 
Selection...................GSMBC Combined Choir 
Howards Medley 
Words of Comfort................Reverend Shellie Sapp 
Pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church 
Recessional.................GSMBC Combined Choir 
The Lord Is My Shepherd 
Interment..............Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens 
3666 Deans Bridge Road 
Hephzibah, Georgia 
. . . . . 
Good Samaritan Boston Commons