Roy Allen Thornton, age 88, of Wake Forest, NC passed away on November 8, 2020 at his home after a short illness. He was born in Newton Grove, NC in 1932. He was a long-time resident of Coats, NC but spent the last three years of his life in Wake Forest, where he could be near his daughter and grandchildren.  Due to Covid restrictions, a drive-through visitation will take place at Coats Baptist Church, on Saturday, November 14, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.  Please, enter the driveway on the Coats side of the church. The family will gather under the portico. A basket will be provided to place notes and cards with memories of Roy and expressions of love for the family. There will be a private memorial service for the immediate family prior to the drive-through visitation.

Roy is predeceased by his parents, Royal and Thelma Thornton; brother Glenn and wife Phyllis; brother J.L. and wife Sue; and brother Jimmy.  He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years and 9 months, Anne.  He is also survived by his son Steven and daughter Rhonda and grandchildren Jackson and Jace;  brothers, James and wife Kay of Garner, Larry and wife Isabella of Port Deposit, Maryland and sister-in-law Jeanette Thornton of Newton Grove, the wife of deceased brother, Jimmy. He is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Sinclair and husband Eric of Dunn and Evelyn Bridges and husband Lester (Pete) of Clayton.

Roy served 12 years in the Air Force and then worked as a Greyhound bus driver for 32 years. After several years, he began work as a custodian for Coats Baptist Church, where he worked six weeks shy of 27 years.

He was a quiet, humble man and enjoyed life. Gardening, working in the yard and playing golf were things he loved to do. He would go to his job at Coats Baptist Church, leave to play a round of golf and then return to the church to finish his day's work.  He often played golf five or more days a week and enjoyed his best scores after he reached age 75.

Roy was a long-time member of Crossroads Church in Lillington and held numerous positions there. He ultimately returned to his beloved Coats Baptist Church. He was a member of Dunn Post 59 of the American Legion where he held positions of Commander and Adjutant.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be given in Roy's name to the Coats Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 297, Coats, NC 27521 or Transitions Hospice Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.  Arrangements provided by Coats Funeral Home.