Betty Louise Miller Thornhill , 88, died peacefully on August 31, 2015 at her home in Silsbee, TX with her family by her side.
Betty was born in West Brownsville, Pennsylvania on September 19, 1926 to Stanley B. Miller and Crystal Leafy Hopes Miller. Betty has been a longtime resident of Silsbee, TX. Betty and her husband, George Thornhill founded Southwest Building Systems in Silsbee, TX in 1981. Up until the time of her death, she contributed as CEO of the company. Betty was a member of First Baptist Church, Silsbee, TX.
Betty sang with Sweet Adeline’s International and her church quartet, Sweet Praise. She had a love for music and directed adult, youth and children’s choirs throughout her life. Betty also wrote and arranged music for numerous church pageants, musicals and groups. While living in Rochester, New York, Betty directed youth quartets and trios for her church, Trinity Church of the Nazarene, where she was a charter member. These groups attended numerous competitions in upstate New York, where they competed and won.
Betty can be described as adventurous, courageous, faithful, and determined. She had a love for God, family, music, photography, and reading.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, George Edward Thornhill and her parents. She is survived by her sons, David Thornhill and wife Sherrie of Silsbee, TX and Keith Thornhill of Silsbee, TX; her grandchildren, Christina Locke and husband Alan of San Antonio, TX and Brent Thornhill and wife Rana of Silsbee, TX; her great-grandchildren, Lexi and Liv Thornhill of Silsbee, TX and Tyler Locke of San Antonio; her sisters Sylvia Bush of Spencerport, New York and Irma Murphy and husband John of Bradenton, Florida and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am Thursday September 3, 2015 at Farmer Funeral Home with interment to follow at RS Farmer Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Silsbee Library or Music Department.
Our deepest appreciation to River City Hospice in Beaumont, TX, to Maria Loukas, Sondra Battle and Velma Gordon of Silsbee, TX and Silsbee Convalescent Center for the utmost care and love shown to Betty and her family during her illness.
