Shirley Edith Wardell Thorne, 83, of Patterson, passed away late Thursday night, May 9, 2024 at Hospice Satilla Hospice House following an extended illness.
Born July 1, 1940, in Buena Vista, she was a daughter of the late Hobart Sheridan and Thelma Downer Wardell. She grew up in Americus and later moved to Roberta, where she graduated and was voted “Most Friendly” by the Crawford County High School graduating class of 1958. She met and married the love of her life in July of 1961, and spent many years moving from place to place as a devoted military wife and mother. She was a self-taught artist, seamstress, accomplished cake decorator, cook and a devoted grandmother. She spent her later years living in Warner Robins before moving to Pierce County to be closer to her family in 2014.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Thorne, and two brothers, H.S. Wardell Jr. and Van Wardell.
Survivors include her two daughters, Lorre Gill and Lydia Thorne, both of Patterson; four granddaughters, Brandy Gill, Patterson, Jennifer Chancey (fiancé Austin), Blackshear, Sarah Sharp (husband Sammy), Blackshear and Samantha Davis (husband Brandon), Patterson; 10 great-grandchildren, Landon, Rylee, Jaran, Tristan, Autumn, Mia, Leeanna, Branson, Anson and Mabry; a sister, Wanda Crawley, Warner Robins and several other relatives.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 13, from the chapel of Hart Funeral Home.
Interment will follow in the Offerman Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
