Maybelle Kathleen Thornton May, of Salem, VA, went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 21, 2024. Maybelle was born to the late James Thomas Thornton and Julia Hinkley Thornton on August 21, 1935. Maybelle lived a life full of love, music, and devotion to her faith.

Maybelle grew up in Edgewood Pentecostal Holiness Church, remaining a pure Christian who believed in God and followed the Bible her entire life. She loved attending church, shopping with Patty and Sommer, seeing her great-grandchildren, and playing the piano and guitar. She sang and played music by ear and was a member of many Gospel bands, including the Waburn Trio, with whom she recorded music and made records.

Maybelle enjoyed the beach, sitting in the sun, and coaching cheerleading, with her daughter Patty as one of her cheerleaders. She spent her last eight years at Snyder Nursing Home, where she sang and played piano for the residents and staff, often alongside her daughter Patty. She also cherished singing with her granddaughter Sommer, teaching her to cook, sew, and many other skills. Maybelle loved her plants, worked as a house cleaner, seamstress, and industrial cleaner, and delighted in dressing up in crazy Halloween costumes made by Patty. She frequented Goodwill, enjoyed burgers and Frosties at Wendy's, and loved playing with and holding her great-grandbabies. Patty and Sommer ensured Maybelle had everything she needed and were with her until the very end.

Maybelle had a huge heart, never hated a soul, and loved spending time with her sons and their families at car shows and cookouts. She was grateful for her wonderful in-laws, Valerie, Jody, Brian M., and Brian W., who always supported her and her family, as well as the amazing staff at Snyder Nursing Home who took great care of her and loved her as their "May May." She also cherished the time spent with her nieces and nephews.

Maybelle was preceded in death by her mother, Julia Hinkley Thornton; father, James Thomas Thornton; sisters, Josephine Mills (James), Christine Dalton, and Pauline Thornton; brothers, Burley Thornton (Betty), and Dyer Thornton (Sally); niece, Wanda Angle; and daughter-in-law, Valerie Bradford.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Patty A. Willett (Brian); sons, Joe Bradford and Gary Bradford; grandchildren, Sommer Murrell (Daniel), T.J. Bradford (Crystal), and J.D. Bradford; great-grandchildren, Ariana Janney, Destin Janney, Vayda Janney, Trevor Bradford, Tyler Bradford, and Cayla Bradford; as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless friends and family members.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 12 p.m., also at Valley Funeral Home Chapel, with interment to follow at the Bohon Family Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Jackie Spence and Reverend Wood.

God called for Mom, and she answered.