Mrs. Helen Marie Ridley Thornton, age 74, of Chatsworth passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.

She was a member of Free Hope Baptist Church.

Mrs. Thornton was preceded in death by her parents, Gene & Opal Ridley; brothers, Raymond, Earnest, and Herman Ridley; and sister, Edna Scott Jones.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Benny Thornton; son, Ben Keith Thornton, III; daughter, Pamela Thornton; son-in-law, Terry Martin; brothers and sisters-in-law, James & Gail Ridley and B. W. & Susie Ridley; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara Baggett-Dick & Horace Dick; grandchildren, Justin Bryant Thornton and Thomas Presley Thornton – all of Chatsworth; special friends from Kroger; nieces, nephews, and cousins; and several very special great-nephews, great-nieces, and great-great-nieces.

Funeral services for Mrs. Thornton will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 2, 2016 from the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Jody Strickland officiating. Interment will follow at Murray Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 pm.

In addition to flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth is in charge of the arrangements.