Peggy Jean Lemaster Thornton began life on November 24, 1925 in El Dorado, Oklahoma, pretty much like any other newborn of the Greatest Generation. Nothing remarkable occurred that day
that foretold what an extraordinary journey lay ahead of the little girl or what a wealth of blessings she would leave behind before reaching her final rest a few miles away in Wichita Falls on August 9, 2021, almost 96 years later.

Lee and Ann Lemaster weathered the ravages of the Great Depression with Peggy and her brother Sonny (Lee Jr.). Conditions were not ideal for acquiring culture and worldliness. But Peggy opened up new worlds between the covers of books and long before she moved out of Eldorado
and on to Wichita Falls, she was dreaming of places she would see and adventures she would experience.
She nabbed her first job on a stroke of luck – replacing a worker who was on his way to the Army as the horrors of war engulfed the whole world. She had no idea how lucky that job was until that soldier returned home to reclaim his position in peace time. The soldier was N.J. Thornton, and soon she became Peggy Lemaster Thornton. Both had learned the value of hard work in hard times, and as a team they seemed to be doubly dedicated as N.J. built a successful electrical supply business and Peggy helped, mastering the arts of hospitality. They formed strong friendships and became active in business, social, religious and charitable circles.

Along the way they produced some other powerful assets: Vicki Lynn Thornton Redden, now of Dallas; Terry Lee Thornton, now of Arlington; and Suzzane Thornton Cooper of Wichita Falls soon filled out the Thornton family. Very few birthdays, Christmases, Thanksgivings or
anniversaries would pass for N.J. and Peggy over the next 60 years without the full and expanding family around them, including Vicki's husband, Charles Redden, of Dallas, and Terry's wife, Pat, of Arlington. And along the way Peggy would see Paris. And London and Rome. And Venice, Florence, Jerusalem, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Provence, Monte Carlo, Killarney, and many more exotic dream-fulfilling destinations. She would dine at Maxim and cheer Santa at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

She would also rise to president of the Women's Forum, the Garden Club and the Gourmet Club and participate in many other organizations. Bridge, book clubs, flower arranging and other pursuits filled her limited spare time.

For N.J. and Peggy, even the "golden years" turned out to be as busy as any other period. Peggy went above and beyond the call of duty as a grandparent, hosting her young grandchildren weekly, providing support and guidance through their young adulthood and taking far-flung trips with them all the way up to the age of 90. She took infinite pride in the accomplishments of U.S. Army Major Nicholas Staha, who lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Sara Staha, and Jennifer Adkins, now a business executive headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida where she lives with her husband, Chris Adkins. The length of her years gave Peggy the opportunity to share wisdom and warmth with the third generation to follow her – great-granddaughters Hailey and Christi Adkins.

Peggy was a master at forming fast friendships, and countless numbers of them endured throughout her lifetime. In her final years, none were more devoted or comforting than her honorary family members: Julia Jackson, Tonya Latham and Nicky, The Cat.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 16 ^th at Lunn's Chapel with Dr. Bob McCartney officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.