Roland Ervin Thornton, 84, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of Piggott, died Saturday, April 15, 2006, in the Veterans Hospital in Poplar Bluff.

He was born April 28, 1921, in Roby, Mo., the son of the late D.D. and Mary Adeline Davenport Thornton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother and five sisters.

He was united in marriage to Attrice Aulene Holloway on Nov. 16, 1940. They had four children.

He is survived by his wife, Attrice Aulene Thornton of Poplar Bluff; three sons, Jerry Thornton of Milton, Fla., Dwight Thornton of Oveta, Fla., and Glenn Thornton of Poplar Bluff; one daughter, Phyllis Barnetson of Junction City, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2006, in the Hoggard and Sons Chapel with Jim Whitlock officiating. Burial followed in the Piggott Cemetery. Pallbearers were Robert Jackson, Juston Jackson, Billy Joe Hardin, Richard Petty, Buryl Petty, Jerry Burkhead and Wallace Gookin.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.