Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

In Loving Memory of Pastor Matthew J. Thornton. Matthew was born February 4, 1948 to the late Blanche Etta Larkin & Samuel Eugene Thornton in Monroe LA. Matthew a.k.a. "Spanky" was preceded in death by his older brother, whom he adored, Samuel John Thornton, Detroit MI.

He grew up in Bryant's Addition in Monroe LA playing endlessly, enjoying family, neighborhood and sports, his favorite sport was football. He attended Carver Elementary and graduated from Carroll High School in 1966 then on to Grambling College. He was baptized at New Light Baptist Church by the late Pastor L. B. Br...