Honea Path – Robert Leon “Shorty” Thornton, 80, of 306 Oak Drive Ext., widower of Sybil Eloise Griffin Thornton, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 109 Cardinal Cove, Irmo, SC.

Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Lester Cole and Ora Mae Young Thornton. He was a member of Chiquola Baptist Church a veteran in the U.S. Navy and was retired from Duke Power. He was also a member of the Honea Path Masonic Lodge #37 A.F.M. and Hejaz Shrine Temple, a charter member of the Honea Path Rescue Squad, and a long time member and former Chief of the Honea Path Fire Department.

Surviving are: one daughter, Elaine Thornton Johnson (Edwin) of Irmo, one sister Ruby Bates of Honea Path, two grandchildren, Samantha Hershey (Jeff) and Justin Stewart (Mandy), and two great-grandchildren, Makenzie Hersey and Caliop Hersey. He was predeceased by one brother, Lester Thornton, Jr. and one sister Gladys Duncan.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM Friday at Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ronnie Powell and Rev. Brad Haynes officiating. Burial to follow in Eastview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1-2 PM prior to the service at Pruitt Funeral home.

Honorary pallbearers will be the former and current members of the Honea Path Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 662 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.

The family will be at the home of Robert and Connie McGaha, 343 Parker Street, Honea Path on Friday.  ParkerWhitePruitt Funeral Homes and Crematory in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.parkerwhitepruitt.com