Sara Lee Thornton

On Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, Sara Lee Thornton went home to be with Jesus. Born on April 4th, 1943 to W.B. and Neva Payne in Springfield, Missouri, Sara was a cherished sister to Virginia, Wallace, Mary, Ronnie, Garland, Dorothy, and Buddy–and a loving sister-in-law to many through marriage, all of whom she held close to her heart as true family.

On paper, Sara’s life followed an expected trajectory: she met a boy, fell in love, had kids, and made a home for them and their children and later their children. But Sara Thornton does not fit into a paper description. Instead, she lives in the description of those who loved her.

To Charles Thornton, Sara was his wife. She shared nearly sixty-four years of unwavering love and partnership with her husband. From meeting at the bus stop back in the early sixties, getting married on November 25th, 1961, and until the end of her days, they loved and bickered like they knew they were each other’s person.

To some, she was known as Mom. While Belinda, Roxanna, Dan and Gina were her “official” children, so many others viewed her as a mother figure in their life. She taught them how hard work always pays off, to care for everyone as much as she did, and to serve the Lord with all your heart. In addition to her biological children, Charles and Sara cared for over two hundred foster children between 1981-2000 and opened up their home for countless meals and evenings to family, friends, and neighbors. She was the true definition of a home-maker for so many.

As time went on, she was known as Nana. She was proud of her grandchildren. From afternoon visits to making each family holiday unique and memorable, Sara made each moment count. She spoiled her grandkids with affirmations that they could grow up to be everything they dreamed, made each of them feel known and loved, and taught them countless life lessons. Her joy multiplied as the family added great-grandchildren. Sara doted on each and every new life, always able to give motherly advice.

Others called her Aunt Bill or Billy. Legend of where the name originated is unclear, but somewhere in her childhood, “Sara” just didn’t fit the passion and stubbornness inside her. Those who called her Aunt Bill range from nieces and nephews, cousins, friends of the family, and more. It was common for her to answer the phone and hear a “Hi Aunt Bill!” from the speaker. She loved her extended family and worked hard to keep in touch with each family member as the years passed.

Sara was a champion of people. An encourager to her core. A helping hand when you needed it. A voice of truth when you didn’t want to hear it. An expert baker and cook. A perfect shoe tier. A Christmas memory-maker. A fixer and problem-solver. A believer. A person in the crowd that you knew was cheering for you. A hope when it didn’t seem possible. A loving wife, mother, Nana, aunt, and friend. Her legacy lives on in the people she loved–no matter what they called her.

Sara is proceeded in death by her parents; siblings Mary, Ronnie, and Buddy; and her daughter Gina Gale. She is survived by her husband, Charlie Thornton; her siblings Virginia, Wallace, Garland, and Dorothy; her children, Belinda and Steve Rutledge, Roxanna and James Gertiser, Dan Thornton and Mary Thornton, and Dustin Toland; her grandchildren Taylor, Tyler, Tinsley, Kristi, Jaime, Steven, Max, Danielle, Jordan, Joe, Kaitlin, Jacob, Ethan, Gavin, and Brody; her great-grandchildren Everett, Josie, Alex, Dante, Conner, Mackenzie, and Will; and many extended relatives.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., July 7, 2025, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, Missouri with Pastor K. DeWayne Butler officiating. A graveside service will follow the funeral service at Hopedale Cemetery, Ozark, Missouri. A visitation will precede the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome to celebrate the extraordinary life of Sara Lee Thornton.