Mary Alice Graves Thornton

American writer Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” If this is true, then Mary Alice Faulkner Graves Thornton’s life is a rich tapestry of unconditional love, tender compassion, happy laughter, and elegant grace. Mary Alice was born to Bobo J. and Janie Murphree Faulkner of Tocowa on Feb. 26, 1934. She grew up on the family farm with her older sister and her two younger brothers. When she graduated from Pope High School, Mary Alice moved to Batesville to work at the newly opened Bank of Batesville. It was at the bank window that she met Robert Whitten Graves, her husband of fourteen years until his death in 1967. Mary Alice and Robert had four children, two girls and two boys. The Graves home was always the center of fun for the neighborhood children. Mary Alice married William Sharp Thornton, dec. 2007, in 1968. In addition to raising four children, “Nana and Papa” welcomed three grandchildren to the family: Carly, Whitten, and Alden. Mary Alice also worked as a sales associate for Clothes Corner, Buckles and Bows, and Merle Norman and served as bookkeeper for several area businesses. She knew wonderful, caring people and shared so many of the good things God blesses us with in this life. She retired to serve in her favorite role as Nana. Nana adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they returned her tender love and affection. As a member of Batesville Presbyterian Church (formerly First Presbyterian Church), Mary Alice served with the Presbyterian Woman, looked after wee ones in the nursery, and participated in Vacation Bible Schools. She was a founding member of the Emma Graves Sunday School Class under former minister Rev. G. Wilbur Smith. Among Mary Alice’s most cherished friendships were those with the “Birthday Girls,” who serve as honorary pallbearers. These women raised children, served beside each other at church and schools, celebrated, mourned, encouraged, and vented to each other for more than 60 years. Mary Alice loved coconut cake, the card game Rook (which she was quite good at as her granddaughter Alden can attest) and her home on the hill. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family who were always blessed by her lively sense of humor and generous spirit. Mary Alice leaves behind three children Janey Graves Ginn, Sara Faulkner Graves, and Thomas Benjamin Graves (Julie), all of Batesville; two granddaughters Carly Ginn Hines (Bob) of Birmingham, AL, and Alden Elizabeth Graves of Searcy, AR; two great grandsons Robert DeSha Hines V and Charles Rainer Hines also of Birmingham; and two step grandchildren Emily Claire Appleton and Justin Wyatt Appleton, both of Batesville. Her son Robert Whitten Graves, Jr., and grandson Robert Whitten Graves III, precede her in death. She also leaves a sister Peggy Faulkner Kennedy of Columbus and two brothers Jack Benny Faulkner of Olive Branch and Tommy Shuford Faulkner of Carthage. Funeral services for Mrs. Thornton will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 at Batesville Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 prior to the service. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, MS. Reverend Jerry Long will officiate the service. Wells Funeral Home of Batesville, MS is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Association or to the Batesville Presbyterian Church.