Eva Jean Thornton

Eva Jean Thornton was born on August 30, 1947, in Shreveport, LA, to Margaret Small and William Richards. Affectionately known as “Jean” by those who loved her, she lived with her mother and brother, A.B. Small, at their home on Poland Street. She grew up attending and serving in Baptist Temple Church, where she gave her life to Christ at a young age. Eva attended the esteemed Booker T. Washington High School from 1961 to 1965, where she was a proud member of the marching band. Among her closest friends were those she cherished from her high school years, including Veronica Williams-Latnie, Maxine “Bebe” Thompson-Duruisseau, and Richard and Carl Stewart, among others. In 1965, after graduating from high school, Eva bid farewell to her loving family and, with adventurous spirit, boarded a plane bound for Detroit, Michigan, to begin the next chapter of her life.

Upon her arrival in Detroit, Eva immediately set out to conquer the working world by securing a job at Hudson department store, where she met and befriended Linda Brown—her first friend in Michigan, who would later become her daughters’ godmother. Known to everyone as “Eva,” she was remembered for her fun-loving spirit, infectious laughter, boundless southern hospitality, speedy driving, and her willingness to listen and help anyone in need. Eva warmly embraced every person she met, forging lasting friendships throughout her life.

Michigan became the backdrop for a new chapter as she met and fell in love with Ronnell Webster, a newly enlisted army member. They married in 1967, and welcomed two daughters, Tamira (Webster) Doolittle and Tiffany Webster, both born on the same day five years apart—a detail her daughters cherish. Friends and family recall Eva as a smart, funny, independent, and loving mother who instilled a deep faith in God and a strong sense of self-worth in “her girls,” as she fondly called them. During her time in Detroit, Eva also discovered siblings from her father’s side whom she had never known, and as she connected with each one, her heart grew to embrace her expanding family with immeasurable love and joy.

After the birth of her first child and a few stepping-stone roles at Fisher Body, Eva secured a lasting position at General Motors in both the Personnel and Purchasing departments. She built a career that spanned over three decades, ultimately retiring from GM before embarking on the next season of her journey.

In the years following her divorce from Ronnell Webster, Eva returned to her native Shreveport to care for her mother. During this time, she reestablished her connection with Baptist Temple Church, where, through her mother’s introduction, she became acquainted with Deacon Robert Thornton. Unexpectedly, she found love once again with Robert, and through their union, she not only gained a devoted husband but also welcomed his two adult children, Sherri and Troy Thornton, further expanding her family and enriching the tapestry of her life.

After Robert’s retirement, he and Eva relocated from Shreveport, Louisiana, to a rural community in Caldwell Parish. There, they became devoted members of Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor John L. Perry, where Eva served as a deaconess and as a respected Mother of the Church. Together, they resided in this community until Eva’s transition on July 29, 2025.

Throughout her life, Eva lived on her own terms, leaving behind an enduring legacy and a host of cherished friends and family whose lives she touched. She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Thornton; her children, Tamira Doolittle (and husband Brandon), Tiffany Webster (and partner John McNeal), Troy Thornton, and Sherri Thornton; her nieces, Stephanie Small, Yolanda Ferguson, and Christina Webster; her nephew, Christopher Small; her siblings, A.B. Small, Christine Richards Plummer, William “Six” Richards, Lottie Richards, Mary Richards, Carrie Richards, and Arthur Richards. Additionally, she is fondly remembered by an extended family of cherished friends, including several god-children that she regarded as her own: along with Jackie Williams and Jackie Brown, regarded as sisters, as well as Peggy and Karl Bolden, Mona Lisa McNeir, Meredith Gray, Ramona and Carlton Meriwether, among many others.

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