Pastor Mathew J. Thornton Final Rites

In Loving Memory of Pastor Matthew J. Thornton. Matthew was born February 4, 1948 to the late Blanche Etta Larkin & Samuel Eugene Thornton in Monroe LA. Matthew a.k.a. "Spanky" was preceded in death by his older brother, whom he adored, Samuel John Thornton, Detroit MI.

He grew up in Bryant's Addition in Monroe LA playing endlessly, enjoying family, neighborhood and sports, his favorite sport was football. He attended Carver Elementary and graduated from Carroll High School in 1966 then on to Grambling College. He was baptized at New Light Baptist Church by the late Pastor L. B. Brass. He moved with family to Seattle in 1969 joining Goodwill Baptist Church. He attended District, State and National Baptist Conventions of America as a deacon, Sunday School teacher & BTU, prayer band, willing workers and Young Peoples advisor.

Matthew accepted the call to preach in 1974. He Pastored Friendship Baptist Church from 1975-1993. He was the Pastor of New Direction until God called him home to a land of no more hurt, no more pain, no more disappointment; a land where we will never grow old. Matthew truly loved the Lord with all his heart and God's people. He was so excited to get on conference call each Thursday with the Carroll Class of 1966 Praying Bulldogs all together and hearing each other's voices.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife Nel, son Tario Tierre, daughters Zolonda M. Banks, Stephanie Curry, Tennessee, Sisters Veronica (Ronald) Littleberry, West Monroe, LA, Monica (Patrick) Goodman, Toledo, Ohio, 6 grandchildren, Tramaine J. Claiborne, Jada Z. Banks, Darius, Cherokee, Tamaran, Cameron Curry, 15 great grandchildren. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews, sister in law Clara (Richard) Holmes, Los Angeles, California, cousin Alversia Stroughter, New Direction Baptist Church, Seattle, WA, EMT's, Pastor Delles Howell and The Carroll High School Class of 1966 Praying Bulldogs and friends.

Sunrise February 4, 1948--Sunset April 5, 2023. Memorial Friday, April 28, 2023 7:00 p.m. @ New Direction Baptist Church, Seattle, WA, Pastor John B. Claiborne. Celebration of Life at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Pastor Robert L. Manaway Officiating, Pastor Robert C. Jointer Eulogist Saturday April 29, 2023 10:00 a.m.