Mr. Rickey Waddell Thornton was born in Granville County to the parentage of the late Katie and Robert Thornton. He was educated in the Granville County Schools.

He is survived by his wife Deanna T. Thornton of the home; five children, Brittany Thornton, Katie Thornton, Jessica Robinson, Ronnie Turner and Robert Gilleo; eighteen grandchildren' six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; siblings, Kaye T. Parker, Robin Thornton (Barbara), Demetris Thornton, Michelle Blue (Bernard), Connie T. Brown (Asa) and Wallace Thornton (April) and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.