Kaye Thornton

Kaye Thornton, 84, of Springtown, Texas, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home, Sunday, November 16, 2025. Born on June 18, 1941, in Abilene, Texas, Kaye lived a long, meaningful life defined by determination, deep love, and a spirit that stayed steady even as her memory gently faded. In her later years, Kaye faced Alzheimer’s with the same strength she carried throughout her life. Even when memories grew dim, her warmth, her spunk, and her love for her family still shone through. Those closest to her never lost sight of her — her curiosity, her stubbornness, and her heart. Kaye poured herself into her family from the very beginning. She was a devoted mother to her daughters, Christie and Cindra, supporting them through every chapter, every challenge, and every wild turn life threw their way, though not without her own opinions on the matter. She showed up — for her friends, her neighbors, for her communities, for anyone who needed a steady hand or a listening ear. That support was simply part of who she was. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy - she was able to enjoy caring for them from birth until they were school age. Their days were spent under her watch: baking in the kitchen, watching movies together, learning the basics of sewing, and listening to the stories she loved to share — stories that only grew more special the older we got. She had her own brand of tough love, too; if we pestered her (which we absolutely did), she’d tell us off, swat at us, and then laugh with us anyway. She was never afraid to give a piece of her mind, and oftentimes the family debates ended in rambunctious laughter during holiday or birthday gatherings. That was Kaye — soft, strong, and wonderfully human. She enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: time with her family, her favorite TV shows, and learning anything she could — especially when it came to new technology. She was endlessly curious about how things worked, how she could manage to "break" them and didn’t hesitate to ask questions, even when we tried (sometimes successfully) to explain things or fix them for her. Her faith was steady and lifelong, and her family takes comfort knowing she has returned to her Savior in peace — likely offering her thoughts on a few things on the way in. Kaye is survived by her loving husband, Charles who tirelessly cared for her to the end; her daughters, Christie and Cindra; and her four grandchildren (and their many friends she adopted as her own), who filled her life with joy. She is preceded in death by her parents Lyston Wayne and Eula Olene Cole; and siblings, Lyston, Verlene, and Lavaughn, who surely welcomed her home. Kaye left this world as she lived in it — bull-headed, deeply loved, and entirely herself. Her strength, her laughter, and the memories she created will remain with her family always.Que sera, sera.