Anna Thornton

Graveside services are scheduled at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 17, at Woodbine Cemetery for Anna Marie Thornton, Artesia, New Mexico. Pastor Mike Knowlton will officiate at the services. Mrs. Thornton, 58, died Friday, March 14, 2003 in Artesia. She was born December 14, 1944 in Artesia; the daughter of Dee Luna Batie and Rena Marie Cockrum Batie. A longtime resident of Artesia, she attended the Artesia Public Schools and obtained her Bachelors Degree in Education and Chemistry from the College of Artesia. In 1978 she obtained her Masters Degree in Psychology and Personnel Services from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. She taught in the Silverton, Texas public schools and the Roswell Independent School District for a number of years. From 1983 to 1998 she was co-owner and operator of Baites Food Store in Artesia. At the time of her death she was a Math Adjunct Instructor at Eastern New Mexico University in Roswell. She was also a member of the Republican Central Committee of Eddy County. Mrs. Thornton was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother Junior Batie. Survivors include her daughter Barbara Payne and husband Mike of Roswell; a brother Johnnie R. Batie of Leesburg, Texas; and grandchildren Tanya Payne, Nathan Payne, and Savanna Payne all of Roswell.