Funeral service for Corey Thornton, 48, of Opelika, AL, will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Lafayette High School Gymnasium, 214 First Avenue SE, Lafayette, AL, 36832 with interment in Evergreen Cemetery, 1409 Monroe Avenue, Opelika, AL, 36801, Brother Jeremy Sanders will officiate.

Mr. Thornton, who passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at East Alabama Lanier in Valley, AL, was born December 16, 1975, in Lee County, Alabama.

Public viewing will be Friday, April 12, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Thornton will lie in repose one hour prior to the service.

Corey graduated from Opelika High School Class of 1994 where he excelled in football and track and field. He later attended Miles College and pledged Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. Corey received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science. Upon graduating from Miles College, he began a teaching and coaching career that included stops at Smiths Station High School, Russell County High School and finally at Lafayette High School where he coached the Bulldogs for over thirteen years. During this time, Coach Corey was the boy’s and girl’s head track and field coach where he led the team to three state titles and four runners-up.

He leaves to cherish his memory: two children, Shakiya Thornton and Jakori Thornton both of Opelika, AL; mother, Mattie (Ceffia) Holloway of Opelika, AL; father, Joe Lewis Thornton of Opelika, AL; one brother, Tyferio (Shala) Doolittle of Opelika, AL; one sister, Amelia Doolittle of Opelika, AL; godmother, Mary Driver of Opelika, AL; eight aunts, Alice Faye Chambers of Atlanta, GA, Eva Nell Thornton, Diane Thornton, Catherine Walker, Cynthia Johnson, Martha Dunn, Gwendolyn (Tracey) Lockhart and Tammy (Tyrone) Thomas all of Opelika, AL; four uncles, Jerry (Ruby) Thornton of Loachapoka, AL, Robert (Cynithia) Thornton, Rodney (Darline) Doolittle both of Opelika, AL and Tyrone (Carla) Thornton of Villa Rica, GA; one niece, MiAngel Williams; one nephew, Jerell Doolittle; a special cousin, Dewayne Thornton; four special friends, Dwight McCall, Derrick Baker, Jeremy (Toya) Sanders and Tony Bedell; a host of great aunts, great uncles, cousins and friends.