Lorene Thornton (Madea) was born May 10th, 1925 in Boyds, Alabama, to Cas and Katie Mae Sledge Williams. Lorene attended Westfield High School in Birmingham Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Sara Young, Lila B. Godfrey, Cherry Smith, and Mattie Dixon. brothers; Patrick , Andrew, and Charlie Williams and grandson; Marvin Johnson. She met and married the love of her life James T. Thornton Sr. in 1945, and to this union six (6) children were born. Loretta Johnson, of Houston Texas, Yolonda Thornton of Dallas GA, Joeann Walker, Brenda Thornton, Ruby Lee and James T. Thornton, all of Toledo Ohio.
Madea confessed her life to Christ in her early twenties, and she would always say "I've been running for Jesus for a long time and I'm not tired yet". Madea arrived in Toledo Ohio in 1947, living on the northside of the city, before moving to the Stickney area in 1961. Madea worked for Toledo Building Services and Womens Hospital of Houston Texas
Madea was ordained as a Minister in 1974 and joined Cornerstone Church here in Toledo Ohio in 1986, under the pastorage of Bishop Michael Pitts, where she served on the Usherboard. She was one of the first members upon its opening, as a storefront on Central Avenue. Madea was the Matriarch of five generations. Ten (10) grandchildren, thirty nine (39) great-grandchildren and twenty two (22) great-great grandchildren. If you ever had the pleasure of being in Madeas' presence, you could feel the love. She has touched many lives inside the Church and in the public. People unknown to her recognized her spirit and was drawn to her. Madea loved to be in church and could play the skin off a tambourine, and could shout in 4" heels. She was a sharp dresser, even into her 90's. She loved to shop and would outwalk her children and grand children on their best day. She had a special love for her children and grands and they felt it every time they would see and or talk to her. Madea loved the family feud and she had a smile that would light up a room and a laugh that was very contagious. Madea Loved good food, and would eat watermelon year round. Red velvet cake was her favorite dessert.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories, one son, James T. Jr.; of Toledo; daughters, Loretta Johnson, of Houston, Texas, Yolanda Thornton, of, Dallas, Georgia, Brenda Thornton, Ruby Lee Thornton, and Joeann Walker, all of Toledo; special brother, Lehman Sledge, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 10 grandchildren, 39 great- grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends