Saturday, December 19, 2009

Rosie Thornton's Passing


(photo by Neil Johnson)

We respectfully morn the passing of one of our Elders from Greatest Generation!
ROSIE LEE WARREN THORNTON
January 6, 1906 – December 18, 2009

Synopsis of The Thornton Sisters


(Rosie, Maggie, and Carrie Thornton)


MAGGIE MAE RENFRO THORNTON

Nick name: (Aunt) "Sugar"

Maggie Mae Renfo Thornton was born on November 14, 1894 according to the U.S. census but if you ask her, she was born in November of 1895. She is of African/American decent. She finished the 8th grade and went on to become a commercial and private cook. She was born in Athens, Louisiana, Claiborne Parish to Dellie and Wylie Thornton, Sr. She was the 4th of 11 children. Maggie Mae left home at the age of 19 to become a cook. She joined a crew that traveled the south earning money to buy her own truck and transporting works to job sites in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Maggie married Rudy Renfro in Texas. They had no biological children but Maggie adopted her niece, Mattie when she was only 9 months old. Maggie was 35 when the stock market crashed. Maggie is the oldest living person in Louisiana, the 5th oldest person in the United States and the 7th

oldest person in the world.


CARRIE MILLER THORNTON

Nick name: (Aunt) "Noonie"

Carrie Lee Miller Thornton was born on April 9, 1902. She is of African/American decent. She finished the 8th grade and went on to become a sharecropper with her husband and later in life worked as a housekeeper in private homes. She was born in Athens, Louisiana, Claiborne Parish to Dellie and Wylie Thornton, Sr. Carrie married at the age of 16 to Arthur Miller who is now deceased. Carrie moved to Minden in the late 40’s and early 50’s. She had one son, Milton Miller, who is also deceased. Carrie was 27 when the stock market crashed.

ROSIE LEE WARREN THORNTON

Nick name: (Aunt) "Squate"

Rosie Lee Warren Thornton was born on January 6, 1906. She is of African/American decent. She finished the 8th grade and went on to become a sharecropper and also worked in private homes. She was born in Athens, Louisiana, Claiborne Parish to Dellie and Wylie Thornton, Sr. Rosie married Tom Warren who is now deceased. They had seven children. Two are deceased, Bertha Capers and L.C. Taylor. Her other children are Retha Brown, Lovie Warren, Ella Warren, Lillie Phenix and Eddie Warren. Rosie moved to Minden in 1953. Rosie was 23 when the stock market crashed.