Thornton Steele Mitchell was the youngest son of seven born to the union of the late Hiliary B. and Laura Wilma Mitchell, in Texarkana, Arkansas in 1937. Thornton was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Frankye, parents, five siblings, a grandson, and a great-grandson.

Thornton accepted Christ at an early age with Canaan Baptist Church, Texarkana, Arkansas.

His early schooling was in the Texarkana, Arkansas School District. He graduated from   Washington High School at 16 years of age. He attended Pine Bluff AM&N (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) and graduated with a degree in biology. He was a member of the University's band as a trumpet player and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He met and later married the love of his life, Frankye Norwood.

After graduating from Pine Bluff AM&N, Mitchell served as an educator for Arkadelphia, Arkansas School District, Booker T. Washington High School (Texarkana, Arkansas) and Texarkana, Arkansas Senior High.

He has a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Thornton was hired by the City of Texarkana, Arkansas with Model Cities and later became the Executive Director of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (C.E.T.A.) Program. Over his 10 years in this career, he was instrumental in having thousands of employees trained and employable with state, local and federal businesses, and organizations. A position that took him all over the country as a speaker sharing the success and positive impact of Arkansas' CETA Program.

After federal cuts, Thornton was hired as a trainer with the Lone Star Ammunition Plant. In this capacity, he once again made a significant difference. His charge was to establish and maintain a high level of safety for employees and the country in demilitarization ammunition training.

Before retiring to care for his wife of 55 years, Frankye Norwood Mitchell, Thornton also served the Lord as a Presiding Elder of the Southwest Arkansas region for the Methodist denomination. Thornton was a Master Mason, and member of the Quorum Court and a Justice of the Peace for Miller County.

He is survived by his sister, Gloria Jacobs.  Thornton and his wife, Frankye had three children: Schlundyra (Quentin) Carter, Thornton (Angela) Mitchell and Kalebyra Mitchell. His eldest son is Rev. Michael (Kim) Watson. Thornton has a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.