Anita Elizabeth Thompson Thornton went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from her home on Snead Island, Fla., where she lived most of her life. The daughter of one of Snead Island's first settlers she was born on January 17, 1928 on Snead Island.

A fine Southern woman, Anita's first and foremost priority was to be a loving wife, mother and Nana to her family. She and Gradie, the love of her life, celebrated 60 years of marriage last July surrounded by those they cherished. She lovingly enjoyed assisting her husband for many years at Thornton Mazda in Palmetto. The Thornton family raised and trained Tennessee Walking Horses for many years. Anita always looked forward to their annual pilgrimage to Tennessee for the Celebration, the premier walking horse event. She was never more proud than to watch her children compete and win those coveted trophies!

Anita was one of the sweetest people, always cheerful and ever smiling. She loved to laugh, she had stories to share, and she was the one everyone wanted to sit next to in church or at a dinner party. Her genuine love for life, family and friends made her a role model for the generations to come.

Anita was a member of the First Baptist Church, Palmetto and the Bradenton Yacht Club where she enjoyed Wednesday night dinners with family and friends. The Yacht Club sits on property Anita's family settled.

Anita was predeceased by her parents, Dan and Anna Thompson, brother, Rollin Thompson, and sister, Zoa Green. She is survived by her husband Gradie of Palmetto; children and their spouses; Teresa and Steve Gambill of Palmetto, Roy and Beth Thornton of Palmetto, Cindy and Rick Sullivan of Shelbyville, Tenn.; precious grandchildren, Shawn Loveless, Greer Gambill and Joel Castellow; her sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Bill Whiteside of Cashiers, NC, and brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Rose Thompson of St. Petersburg.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 15, 2010 from 1-2 p.m. with funeral services to follow in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Palmetto, 1020 4th Street W, Palmetto with Brother Bud Gillett officiating. Committal services will follow Palmetto City Cemetery.

The family is accepting flowers or memorial contributions may be made in her honor to TideWell Hospice of Southwest Florida. Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannon funeralhomes.com. Arrangements by Shannon Funeral Home, Bradenton.