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.

Art Show & SALE: The Chris Broussard Collection

Come see and have the opportunity to purchase the many wonderful works of art by Chris Broussard. Join us Friday, December 4th at 5:30pm at Easley Fine Art & Photography on Main St. Works featured will be art from the past and works that have been more recently produced.

100% of the proceeds will go to the arts to directly benefit our children and our community through the efforts of Cultural Crossroads. Support Your Future!

Drinks and fine food will be featured. So come and know that your purchases will come back to you seven-fold through the hard work of Cultural Crossroads.

Chris Broussard is a co-founder of Cultural Crossroads and founder of Webster Parish's first after school enrichment center. She taught children's art for more than 22 years and is currently the art enrichment teacher for Glenbrook School. Chris received the Governor's Award for "Promotion of the Arts in Louisiana" for 2006 and received the "Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award" for Louisiana in 2008.

Thornton Sisters Receive Handmade Quilts

During the celebration on Sunday, November 8th, the Thornton Sisters were given handmade quilts by the Quilting Queens (http://artsinminden.com/quiltqueens.html). The quilts were made by Rita Gray, Virginia Watson, and Levada Mitchell.

Thornton Sisters Celebration

Over 400 family members, friends, neighbors, dignitaries and elected officials gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate the lives of three
incredible women, The Thornton Sisters. Their combined 324 years of history have earned them the distinction of being the oldest African American siblings in the nation and Maggie Thornton Renfro is the oldest African American in the nation. Guiness World Book authorities were present to congratulate the sisters on their historic accomplishment.

Cultural Crossroads coordinated the historic event that was marked by a community photograph of everyone present. The historic photograph will be presented to the Dorcheat Museum in Minden.

Pictured here are the three Thornton sisters, their daughters and close family friends.
Rosie Thornton, age 104; Carrie Thornton, age 107 and Maggie Thornton. age 114.
Maggie Thornton Renfro will be 115 on Saturday, November 14, 2009.

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne has proclaimed Saturday, November 14th, 2009
Maggie Thornton Renfro Day in Louisiana.

Moon Over Minden Pictures Are Here!

Click on over to the Cultural Crossroads site to the Photo Gallery and enjoy the pictures from last weekend. Go to http://artsinminden.com/gallery/index.php?album=moon-over-minden-2009

Moon Over Minden: SATURDAY ONLY

We regret to have to cancel Moon Over Minden festivities for FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY! We will open the gates at 8pm Saturday night for the Haunted Garden & Haunted House Tour. Admission $8 per person.

Unfortunately the Haunted Hayride feature had to be cancelled altogether. The grounds are simply too wet. Parking available at Save Alot for Saturday night.

We send our best to those families that are having to deal with flooding issues and clean up after the tornadic conditions we've been experiencing.

For more info, call Chris Broussard at 393-5991.

SO COME ON OUT AND HAVE A VERY ENJOYABLE NIGHT AT THE FARM AND SUPPORT THE ARTS!!