Katherine Elizabeth (Holland) Thornton

Katherine “Katie” Thornton passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Baptist Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by family and friends. Katie was born on May 18, 1988 to Mike and Marti Holland at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Katie graduated from White Hall High School in 2006. During her school years at White Hall, she participated in the choir, band, dance, and league softball. She attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and UALR in Little Rock. She graduated with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from SEARK (Southeast Arkansas College) in Pine Bluff in 2010.

Katie was a survivor of childhood bilateral retinoblastoma which she was treated for at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center in Memphis, Tennessee. After losing her sight, she attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston, Louisiana from 2011 to 2012. It was here that she met her husband, Justin Thornton. Justin and Katie were married on April 8, 2017.

Katie’s faith and love for God was evidenced by her vibrant spirit and in her marriage. As part of that triangle with God at the top and she and Justin at the bottom, they had a steadfast marriage as they worshipped and served God together. The health trials that Katie faced in recent years only strengthened her faith and her witness. 

Katie is survived by her husband, Justin Thornton, her parents, Mike and Marti Holland, and a brother, Jacob (Hannah) Holland. She is also survived by aunts, Sherri Woods and Shannon (Jay) Sawyer and uncles, Mark Vaughn and Kirk (Brenda) Vaughn. She is also survived by her in-laws, Keith and Gwyn Thornton, and numerous cousins and other family members. Katie was preceded in death by her sister, Lindsey Holland, grandparents, Perry (Karol) Holland, Sr., William (Mary Anne) Vaughn and Ted C. Lyons, and Peggy Owens (Justin’s grandmother).

Katie loved to work with children of all ages with the children’s program, Vacation Bible School, Blast and working with the babies in the nursery at church. She enjoyed making no-sew blankets and made several for family and friends. She also loved to do activities with family and friends.

A visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of White Hall on Friday, August 9, 2024 from 5 to 7 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Crossroads New Baptist Church, 18900 Congo Ferndale Road, Little Rock, Arkansas at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorials be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Ste B1, Little Rock, AR 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com