Ruby Lee Diamond Thornton, age 90, of Independence, Virginia died on Friday, March 27, 2020 at the Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax, Virginia.  She was born on June 17, 1929 in Ohio to Coy and Velva Hawks Diamond.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Thornton; son, William Rodney Thornton; two brothers, Frank Diamond and Edward Pete Diamond; two grandsons, Stacy Anders and Buckey Teaster.

She is survived by five daughters,  Sandra Isom and Rex Lowe of Independence, Virginia,  Sharon Danner and Paul Karowicki, of Independence, Virginia, Karen and Harold Osborne of Independence, Danna and Frank Frost of Riverview, Florida, Denise and Gordon Falwell of Wytheville, Virginia; one son, Gale and Ginny Thornton of Independence, Virginia; three sisters, Rowena Green of Woodlawn, Virginia, Phyllis and Kevin Leonard of Abingdon, Virginia, Loretta Wilson of Galax, Virginia; one brother, Dale and Brenda Diamond of Galax, Virginia; twelve grandchildren, Donna Tibbs, Currie Billings, John Kabino, Jason Thornton, Lorne Anders, Shoan Clyburn, Nathan Osborne, Monic Osborne, Dawn Worley, Joanie Newman, Adam Frost, and Jennifer Edwards; seventeen great-grandchildren, Scotia Marshall, Acey Marshall, Savannah Lewis, Amber Stovall, Arlin Anders, Kaylei Newman, Ashlyn Newman, Cassidy Billings, Braedon Billings, Paisley Clark, Pheobe Osborne, Finner Thornton, Cash Clyburn, Kailyn Edwards, Carson Edwards, Brenna Frost, and  Gavin Frost; and three great-great grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be conducted on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 3:00 PM at the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Independence, Virginia by Rev. Tim Crockett and Gordon Falwell.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence, Virginia is serving the Thornton family.