Mrs. Thornhill was raised and educated in Kansas City. She was a member of the first graduating class from the University of Kansas City, now University of Missouri-Kansas City. She then earned a Master’s degree from Northeast Missouri State College in 1964.
At age 13, she taught a Sunday School class. At age 15, she began playing the piano for church services. After marriage, she continued to serve the Lord along with her husband. They taught Sunday School, served as musicians and served on several boards. She continued playing the piano and organ for 40 years.
She taught high school in Otterville, at Whittier in Sedalia, and at Gibson School in the
Riverview Gardens School District in St. Louis, retiring in 1972.
Mrs. Thornhill was a member of First Christian Church, Osage Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, Community Retired Teachers, Missouri Retired Teachers and National Education Association.
Survivors include a son, John Oakley Thornhill, of Rose Hill, N.C.; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was also predeceased by a son, Roy Alan Thornhill; a daughter, Barbara Jean Thornhill; a brother, Ross Nichols; and a sister, Mary Lee Harker.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Matthew Keith officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online at www.heckartfuneralhome.com.
Marjorie Thornhill, 93, of Wallace, N.C., formerly of Sedalia, died Monday, July 7, 2008, in Wallace.
She was born March 13, 1915, in Kansas City, a daughter of Oakley M. and Cecil Ardith Phelps Nichols. On Sept. 3, 1937, she was married to Frederick Homer Thornhill, who died May 27, 2000.
