"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

A Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Leon Thornton

LEON THORNTON, affectionately known as Daddy, Pop, Big Daddy, Uncle Thornton, Uncle Mandy Boy and Thornton, was born on February 3, 1934, in Ashburn, Virginia. He was the youngest of fourteen children born to James Edgar Thornton and Sarah Elizabeth (Jackson) Thornton. Leon was blessed to come from a large family of siblings, which created a multi-generational household. He enjoyed life with his late brothers and sisters: John Wesley, William Edward, Charles Edward, Margaret, Earle, Louise, LeeEtta, Lewis Franklin, Edyth, Silas, Eli, James Rudolph and Yvonne.

His early education was at the now historic Ashburn Colored School, one of the few remaining African American schoolhouses still in existence in Northern Virginia.

Leon found his calling when his mother died in 1951. The experience of accompanying his father to make arrangements for his mother's funeral made a lasting impression -- and he started thinking that he might want to be a mortician.  His life's mission was to ease the burden of families in their time of bereavement.

When he was seventeen, Leon moved to Washington, DC to live with his older brother Lewis. He continued his education at Armstrong High School in the District of Columbia.  When opportunity arose, Leon's sisters and brothers helped with resources for additional schooling so he could attend Eckols College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his diploma in 1957 with a degree in Mortuary Science.

Leon Thornton met his future wife, Margaret Jamieson, at a funeral service. Following a long courtship, they married on July 25, 1959. Margaret was a teacher and lifetime resident of Charles County, Maryland. In 1968, the couple established Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., a family-owned and operated business, in their Victorian-style house in Pomonkey, Maryland.

Never one to have a hobby, Leon was always the entrepreneur.  In his early years, he owned his own cab and drove it to make ends meet while working towards starting his own funeral establishment.  He was also a silent partner with his late brother-in-law, Henry Jamieson in a trucking business, T&J Trucking. The "T" was obviously for Thornton.  He established other businesses, always using a name from his family honoring them in all that he did.

Most recognized is Thornton Funeral Home, P.A. (Professional Association). Javics, named after his father, James and his first grandson, Victor, is a management company for rental properties and real estate assets.  Sartiks, named after his mother, Sarah and his first grandchild Itika was a social club for people of his generation.  However, it ultimately became a rental facility until it was sold.   Along with Sartiks, came T&J Bar-B-Q Pit, named after Thornton and his late brother-in-law, Vincent Jameson.  It was a collaboration of Leon owning the building and Vincent owning the business.  L&LT Construction, named after his son, Leon and himself, Sarah Manor, after his mother, Sarah, a subdivision that he developed, and finally, Ed Court, a street named after his father (James Edgar).

Successful entrepreneurship has been the hallmark of Leon Thornton's life and legacy. For his work as an entrepreneur and service to the community, Leon has been honored numerous times with awards for his accomplishments.  Even as he was close to glory, he was still talking about starting a new business.

Next to his love for his family, Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., was the other love of his life.  The families he served became his family.  They were of his utmost importance.  Snow, sleet, or rain never stopped a funeral, and his timeliness was his trademark.  Even when his body wouldn't allow him to be physically present, his mind was always on business.  Up until the very end, he was still asking "What's going on?"
On a more personal side, at ninety years old, Leon was the family patriarch. He lived longer (and grew older) than any of his siblings who all predeceased him.

Leon had an excellent memory and could tell you who still owed him $20 from fifty years ago!  He enjoyed talking about his family history and was able to tell stories of yesteryear.  Having to walk for miles in the snow was always a favorite!  Above all, he cherished the role he had as: father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin. He and his family shared cherished moments together.  Family is what really gave him joy and an abiding faith in Christ is what kept him going.

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, just a few weeks shy of his 91st birthday and surrounded by the love of his family, Leon stepped into eternity, undoubtedly met by beloved family and friends.

There is so much more to Leon's story this space would not allow to be written. However, the impact he left on his community and the memories he left for his family will be forever in our hearts!

Left to continue his legacy are his children, Lydia (Garry), Leon Jr. (Darlene), and KeShawn ("Tiajuana") known as his other daughter, his niece Tanja (Harry), grandchildren, Itika, Korey, Ryan, Victor, Victoria, Aniyah and Kandes, bonus grandchildren, Little Harry, JaNaye, JayT, and DeAndre, great grandchildren, Kamiya,  Ashaad, Kayla, Cameron, Caleb, August, Allie, Reyna, Izaiah, Jason, Alayna and J'rue, other cherished nieces, nephews, relatives and so many friends.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, overflow parking will be available at Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3385 Metropolitan Church Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. A shuttle service will operate from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and will return following the services .

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025  at 10:00 a.m., please click on the link below to live stream the service. Please make sure the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).The streaming will begin after the final family viewing. Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream