Saturday, January 23, 2010

Maggie Thornton Renfro's Passing...


The oldest and last of the Thornton sisters passed away last night peacefully in her sleep. Maggie Thornton Renfro was 115. Although the cencus reported her as 114, we will respect Maggie's memory of when she was born. Maggie will now join her sisters Rosie and Carrie who all died within days of one another.

Maggie, Carrie and Rosie were honored November 8th of 2009 at a Centenarian Celebration in Minden as part of the North Louisiana Triumph Over Tragedy commemoration of the Great Depression. The Thornton Sisters were the oldest African American siblings in the nation. Maggie Thornton Renfro held the distinction of being the oldest Louisiannian, the 4th oldest person in the nation and the 6th oldest person in the world.

Following the historic celebration in November at the Minden Civic Center, the Thornton family said that Cultural Crossroads was a real blessing to them.

On behalf of the board of directors of Cultural Crossroads, I must say that they were our blessing! We will miss their optimistic outlook on life, their sweet smiles and

their contagious laughter. And we will forever remember that they left us all with a special parting message: "Just love one another!"

--Chris Broussard

Friday, January 8, 2010

Making History in Minden


We will fondly remember the day that Minden celebrated the oldest African American siblings in the nation. The Thornton sisters will live forever in the stories they told. A documentary, a book and a play have been produced that include the Thornton Sisters. Upcoming events will showcase the new art that was created out of "Triumph Over Tragedy."

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Carrie Thornton's Passing...







Another sad day in Webster Parish. "Aunt Nonnie" passed away early this morning.

She had been fighting pneumonia for several months. Her younger sister, Rosie Thornton Warren, "Aunt Squate," passed away on December 18th. Carrie is survived by her older sister, Maggie Mae Thornton Renfro who turned 115 in November.

Please remember this sweet family in your prayers. We respectfully mourn the passing of one of our Elders from the Greatest Generation!

CARRIE LEE THORNTON MILLER
April 9, 1902 – January 5, 2010

Monday, January 4, 2010

Spring Arts Festival 2010


Get ready for this year's Spring Arts Festival on April 22-24, 2010. Keep up to date in the future on this blog and at www.artsinminden.com.