Betty Jo Mann Thornton of Sheridan, Little Rock, and Rogers passed away on Tuesday, May 6.  Betty was born on January 27, 1935 and adopted at age 2 by Lettie Wilkinson  and Robert Leigh Mann, who owned the People's Store in Sheridan.  She attended Sheridan schools, Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas) and Henderson State University. On her 21st birthday she married Ray Thornton, also of Sheridan. The couple lived in Fayetteville while Ray completed law school, and later they resided in Sheridan, Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Washington, D.C., welcoming three daughters along the way. Betty was active in supporting Ray's successful law practice and political career, during which he served as Arkansas Attorney General, Fourth District Congressman, ASU President, UA System President, Second District Congressman, and Arkansas Supreme Court Justice.

Betty was happy bringing up her daughters and supporting her community and her husband's career.  Her beauty and kind smile captured many hearts and votes at the hundreds of political rallies she attended to help Ray.   In 1993, Betty was named Florence Crittenton Mother of the Year, a shining example of the importance of adoption.  With her daughters, she enjoyed actively participating in Girl Scouts, and she was a member of the Little Rock Garden Club. She loved music, dance, and always had a piano in her home.  Her favorite song was "Over the Rainbow."

Betty is survived by her daughters Nancy Lynn Thornton of Rogers, Mary Jo Thornton Hays of Conway, and Stephanie Leigh Thornton Fain of Little Rock; her grandchildren Melody Woodard Epley (Charles), Jessica Woodard Metcalf (Nick), Thomas Hays (Haley), Edward Hays, and Forrest Kyler Fain; and great-grandchildren Hunter Greenfield, Ashton Greenfield, and Abbie Bunch.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her grandson Micah Shannon Fowler.

The family thanks the wonderful caregivers at Grand Brook Memory Care in Rogers for their kindness during Betty's residence there, and the caring aides and nurses at Circle of Life in Bentonville.

Visitation will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan.  The celebration of her life will be held at the Sheridan United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10, led by Pastor Todd-Paul Taulbee, followed by a graveside service at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville.

The family requests that memorials be made to the charity of your choice.