Valerie Bonita Thornton Ross passed away August 3, 2026 surrounded by her family.

She was born November 9, 1953 to Dean Farwell Thornton and Mary Bonita Routh Thornton.

A tomboy in her younger years, she was more interested in playing Cowboys & Indians with her toy gun and holster than with dolls and dresses. She competed in and won many barrel racing contests. She got her first horse, Midge, at age 9, which sparked her lifelong fondness for animals.

At the beginning of her senior year in high school her father moved the family to Hot Springs, which would be her home for the rest of her life.

She began her career at Weyerhaeuser in the Hot Springs office on Whittington Ave. She held several positions over her 46 year career, from keying time sheets, to working in the mill in Mtn Pine during the union strike, to account management for major corrugated box clients, to selling lumber toward the end of her time with the company.

Her life’s work was her children and grandchildren and her dedication and the numerous sacrifices she made for them make them what they are today.

She got the most joy from watching her grandsons’ baseball and basketball games. Nana, as she was called, was often the loudest person in the stands, much to their embarrassment. She would drive hours just to catch a school play, or to cheer on her boys in whatever they were doing.

One always knew where they stood with Val because she had no problem letting it be known. She was a hard nut to crack but once you were her friend, she’d have gone to the end of the earth to help you. The family has met so many longtime friends of hers for the first time over the past month, a true testament to her reach.

Her volunteer efforts kept her busy in her retirement, helping numerous non-profits raise money and advancing causes she believed in.

She was a loyal and loving sister, taking on the mother role after her own mother passed. Val was the glue that always held the family together.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Frank Kelly. Left to tell and retell all of the funny stories about her and to live out her values and lessons are her children Matthew (Mandy) Ross and Jennifer (Sam) Hardin; grandsons Benjamin, Gabriel, and Reid; brother Greg Thornton; sister Debra (Danny) Johnson; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Genesis Cancer & Blood Institute of Hot Springs; the doctors, nurses, and staff on the oncology floor of CHI St Vincent; the doctors, nurses and staff at Encompass Health and Rehab; and the nurses at Arkansas Hospice.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes to direct donations to the Hot Springs YMCA, the Hot Springs National Park Kennel Club, Relay for Life of SW Arkansas, and local women’s shelters and animal rescue organizations
There will be a private family burial with a celebration of life event to be announced closer to Autumn.

Cremation arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com