Mrs. Evelyn Jean (Higgins) Thornton

January 10, 1936 - May 25, 2019

*****NOTE: Visitation and Service Times & Location are Listed Below**** Evelyn Jean (Higgins) Thornton, was born on January 10, 1936 in Montezumam Ga., Macon County to the parentage of the Late Mr. Leroy and Abbie Lee Haugabook Higgins. She was the eleventh of thirteen children born to this union. She was educated in the schools of Macon County Georgia. Evelyn was married in Holy Matrimony to the Late Jimmy L. Thornton, Jr. in Montezuma, Ga. She was a Loving Wife and Mother who dearly loved her family. Evelyn eventually moved to Chicago area early in her adult life where she raised 3 wonderful sons who were the love of her life. Mother Thornton received graduated from a Community College in Chicago, where she received her nursing degree and worked at Cook County Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. She enjoyed helping people, which is something she loved to do, for 10 years embracing many families through her work. Mother Thornton also worked as a Social Worker for 8 to 10 years . After she received her associate certification she was employed with the Chicago Housing Authorities serving families from Cabrini Green housing projects. These families had many challenges that she assisted them with which included the following: single mothers health, financial assistance, employment assistance and domestic violence. She helped many families get back on the right track of living positive lives while at the same time doing God’s work in the community. Mother Evelyn Thornton finished her career as a Teacher Assistant at Wayne Day Care Center. She worked with very young small children involving subject items such as math, reading, and writing . One of her heartfelt jobs was teaching and mentoring young children helping them to become very good students that were eager to learn. She relocated to Kalamazoo after 8-to years of working in this capacity and began her retirement. Mother Evelyn Thornton accepted Christ in her early teens and she was faithful and committed to Him ever since that day. She attended New Hope Baptist Church in Chicago, under the leadership of Pastor Sammy Lewis, St Luke Church of God in Christ in Chicago, under the leadership of Pastor James Austin, and Resurrected Life Church International in Chicago, under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Ray Berryhill. In recent years, from 2004 to 2019, she was a member of First United Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Lenzy Bell in Kalamazoo Michigan. She was a faithful member until she wasn’t able to attend any longer. Mother Evelyn Thornton has served in many capacities which included singing in the choir, the Mother’s Board as well as being a part of a prayer group for over 15 yrs. with Mildred Williams, Mrs. Rachel Higgins, Mr. Patterson, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Marie, Mrs. Frisky. She leaves to cherish her memory 3 loving sons, David Thornton of Kalamazoo, MI; Jerry Thornton (Sheila) of Chicago, IL; and R. Cordell Thornton (Denise) of West Palm Beach, FL; 4 grandchildren, Jeremiah Thornton of Chicago, IL; R. Cordell Thornton II of West Palm Beach, FL; Kimberly Thornton Gumbs (Cleeton) of Orlando, FL ; and Sabrina Thornton Thompson (Wayne) of Orlando, FL; 6 great-grandchildren, Natajah Thornton, Dajuan Thornton, Nolan Thompson, Aiden Gumbs, London Thompson, and Paris Gumbs ; a brother, Marvin (Rochelle) Higgins (deceased); nieces, Peggy (Roach) Mitchell (deceased), Brenda Jones (Jeffrey), Renee Higgins and Barbara Higgins; nephews, Charles (Mary) Phillips Jr. (deceased)Vince Phillips, Sr.; and Leonardo Phillips Sr. (Sandra); special nieces, Gloria Jean and Shirley (Marvin’s daughter). Also, a host of great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.