Funeral services for Robert Allen Thornton, 64, former Lauderdale superintendent of Education, were held today at 3 p. m.
          Thornton was assistant director and counselor at Allen Thornton Area Vocational and Technical School, named in his honor, at the time of his death. He died Saturday following heart surgery at University Hospital in Birmingham.
          Thornton served as superintendent of Lauderdale County Schools from 1953 to 1969 and had spent most of his professional life teaching and administering education programs in the county.
          Services were held at Morrison-Elkins Chapel in Florence with Dr. O. S. Gamble officiating. Burial followed in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
          A member of North Wood United Methodist Church, he is survived by his widow, Christine Thornton, Florence; one sister, Mrs. Birdie Shaw, Florence; one brother, John M. Thornton, Greenhill.
          Active pallbearers were Phillip Gamble, Roy Price, Johnny Johnston, Hollis Smith, Don Littrell, Warren Parker and David McFall.
          Lauderdale County Schools closed at 12:45 p.m. today for Thornton's funeral.
           [Florence Times - Tri-Cities Daily, Monday, 5 Mar 1973, p. 1]