Obituary of Ruth Elizabeth Thornton

"For He that is mighty has done unto me great things; and Holy is His Name." Luke 1:49 (KJV) Ruth Elizabeth Adams Thornton was born July 31, 1926 in Baltimore, Maryland to Cardoza and Mary Frances Adams. She was the youngest of five daughters; Iona, Doris and Catherine (proceeded her in death). She leaves to mourn, one sister, Luddia A. Brown. As a very young lady she along with her mother and sisters, sang in a gospel singing group called the 'Adams Chorus'. In 1942, they went to New York City with Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaux and sang at the Million Dollar Ballroom. A talent scout was there and offered them a contract. However, Sis Adams turned it down in favor of staying on the path the Lord had set for her and her daughters. On February 24, 1948, she was united in marriage to Leon L. Thornton. Together they had and leave to mourn eight children: Amelia, Leon Jr., Marcia (Delman), Philip (Peggie), Richard (Teri), Melissa (Keith), Bruce (DeVonn) and Aleta. Along with her sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law, she was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, and family and friends. She has been a lifelong active member of the Baltimore Church of God at 4310 Edmondson Ave in Baltimore, Maryland. There, she leaves an innumerable host of brothers and sisters in Christ. Sister Ruthie (as she was known by all) was 'omnipresent' at the church, from planting the flowers and beautifying the building to working tirelessly in the kitchen along with her husband; Brother Leon. She was a 'Greeter" in the lobby, Secretary of the Sunday School. She made and brought lace 'head coverings' for those who simply forgot to wear one. For many, many years she was Leader of Group #15. We all remember the crab cakes, lemon meringue pies, and potato salad she made for the Monday Night dinners at 1711. Let's not forget her 5 flavored pound cake. As a child, Sister Ruthie always wanted to go to Vacation Bible School; but there was none at the Church of God at that time. In the summer of 1963, Sister Ruthie organized and started Vacation Bible School in the basement of the church at 314 N. Gilmore Street. She continued to operate and direct VBS for 55 years. Sister Ruthie "LOVED" children. She loved the children in the church and the children in the neighborhood. Any child anywhere knew they were loved by Sister Ruthie and she was "fun". As for her own children, she loved us each individually according to our temperament. People usually assumed we were only children unless we explained there were eight of us. One of the projects Sister Ruthie was passionate about was the R.E.A.C.H. program which provided meals for people in the community near the church. She also worked every year in preparation the Annual Baptizing in Washington, D.C. She organized and prepared the robes for the candidates as well as help prepare the pool for the service. Aside from the church, Sister Ruthie was very active in the community. She was a volunteer at Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in the Health Suite when her youngest, Aleta started kindergarten. That volunteer position evolved into a full-time career as a Baltimore City Public Health Nurse. She retired after 25 years in 1989. There is not enough time or enough words to extol the virtues of Sister Ruthie here and now, but our Dear Savior has it all on record. She was indeed the Proverbs 31 Woman. Today and always, her children rise up and call her blessed!