Elbert Ray Thornton

August 20, 1937 - December 21, 2020

On Monday, December 21, 2020, Elbert Ray Thornton, age 83, passed away at Cullman Regional Hospital. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home from 1:30-3:00 p.m. A U.S. Navy veteran and long-time member of the Teamster's Union, Ray returned to his hometown of Cullman in 2003. Ray is survived by his wife, Melba Ann Purvis-Thornton; three brothers, Douglas (Irene) Thornton, Bryant (Alice) Thornton Jr.,and Lee Thornton; five daughters, Lisa Marie (Ed) Dillinger, Elizabeth Ann Thornton, Cynthia Rose Franckhauser, Melissa Catherine Thornton, and Theresa Elnora (James) Pruitt; stepson, Nathan Purvis; stepdaughter, Julie (Kevin) Stein; seven grandchildren, James R. (Jenny) Thornton, Bryan James, Loryn (Josh) Peace, William Tighe, Kyle (Bethany) Franckhauser, John James, and Luke Franckhauser; three great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.