Our Story

Herschel Thornton Mortuary was founded in 1945 by the late Herschel E. Thornton Jr., a veteran of World War II and native of Elberton, Georgia. Our flagship facility was originally located at 483 Mitchell Street SW near Downtown Atlanta in the vicinity of the Georgia Dome. With the support of the community, Herschel and his wife Pinkye Thornton were able to establish a successful business that served the needs of many families during a very difficult time in their lives. Herschel’s willingness to help and people-driven mindset allowed him to develop many lasting relationships with members of the community that extended beyond the services he rendered.

In 1964, as a result of an urban renewal project, the Thornton’s and their only child Herschel E. “Chuck” Thornton III moved to our current location in the Adamsville community. It did not take long for the Thornton family to endear themselves to the Adamsville community. While Thornton Mortuary was already a well-known name to residents of Atlanta, Herschel’s personality and business savvy soon won the love and support of residents. Herschel made a big splash locally and nationally when Thornton Mortuary became the first funeral home in the country to offer a drive-thru viewing window. While many enjoyed the pure novelty of the idea, the viewing window was developed to accommodate the needs of elderly guests who were unable to walk into the funeral home, and also to allow for after-hours viewings

Our proprietor, Herschel Thornton Jr., entered into eternal rest in December of 1995. The firm’s Executive Administrator, Mrs. Pinkye G. Thornton, passed away in June of 2007. The legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Thornton is being carried on through the tireless work of their son “Chuck”, and grandchildren, Gloria and Brandon Thornton. Although many years have passed, and the City of Atlanta has changed, the dedication of the professionals at Herschel Thornton Mortuary has remained constant. Our love for our community and passion to serve has allowed us to continue to be one of Atlanta’s most prestigious firms. With the support of families across the City of Atlanta, and the entire State of Georgia, we will continue to build on our legacy of superior service to those in need.