Linda Florence (Thornton) Sornson

Mrs. Linda Florence Thornton Sornson, age 82, of Patterson, passed away Saturday evening (3/28/2026) at her residence following an extended illness.

Born October 3, 1943, in Waycross, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Albert and Wily Virginia Thomas Thornton. She lived most of her life in Patterson and was a 1962 graduate of Patterson High School. 

She was a veteran, having served in the United States Women’s Army Corp (WAC) where she was a secretary and stenographer. She also played for the Army basketball team.

Following her discharge from the military, she worked as a nurse’s aide, a dental hygienist, and a car salesman and then obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

She worked for Memorial Hospital/Satilla Regional Medical Center (now Memorial Satilla Health) in Waycross in the labor and delivery unit for many years. She then worked as a nurse epidemiologist for the state of Georgia and worked alongside her husband as an assistant brick mason.

She was a member of Laura Chapel Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Ray Sornson, Sr.; her daughter, Lisa M. Sornson Tanner; 2 brothers, Willis “Bud” Albert Thornton and Thomas James “Jimmy” Thornton; and 3 sisters, Patricia Page, Merle Jean Taylor, and Libby Strickland.

Survivors include her son, Jimmy R. Sornson, Jr. (wife Annemarie) of Jacksonville, FL; 2 granddaughters, Emily A. Sornson of Patterson and Virginia Rae Tanner; 2 sisters, Marilyn Snyder (husband Norman) of Jacksonville and Debbie Griggs of Waycross; sister-in-law, Bonnie Thornton of Paterson;  numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews she dearly loved; and several other relatives.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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