Leah Moree Thornton

Leah Moree Mann Thornton, 94 of Cleveland, Mississippi, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 17, 2020, at her home surrounded by her family. There will be a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2020, at the New Cleveland Cemetery. Leah was born on November 21, 1925, in Greenville, Mississippi. She grew up and attended school in Skene, Mississippi. Leah graduated from Delta State Teacher's College with a degree in business. She was a homemaker and taught school for several years. Leah was a member of Delta State's Golden Circle. She was active and devoted to church activities throughout her life and was a member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland. Leah especially enjoyed participating in the Baptist WMU programs and events. She was devoted to her family and friends and was the quintessential southern lady always kind, gracious, and generous. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Leah is preceded in death by her husband Ben David Thornton, Sr.; her parents A.R. Mann, Sr. and Moree Elizabeth Manning Mann; her brothers A.R. Mann, Jr. and William Johnson Mann; and her nephew Bill Mann.
She is survived by her son, Ben David Thornton, Jr., (Phyllis) of Cleveland, Mississippi; daughter, Liz Bufkin (Ben) of Cleveland, Mississippi; granddaughters, Lillie Moree Thornton of Cleveland, Mississippi, and Abbey Bufkin of Oxford, Mississippi; step-grandson Jonathan Weeks (Tabatha) of Oxford, Mississippi; sister-in-law Simmie Goodwin of Texarkana, Texas; and nephews Bert Mann (Patsy) and Al Mann (Debbie) of Skene, Mississippi.