Mark Joel Thornton

Mark Joel Thornton, went to his heavenly home on January 14, 2023. The son of Patricia Harvil Thornton and the late Joel Cobb Thornton, Mark was raised in Greer and attended Clemson University, where he played center on the Clemson football team. With a strong work ethic and a keen eye for detail, Mark was the founder and owner of T2 Design and Construction. Mark was a proud South Carolinian and an active member of the Greer community, serving on the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Greer Development Corporation Board of Directors, and the Greer Trust Board of Directors, which planned and built the Greer City Hall Complex. He was also a member of Partnership for Tomorrow and formerly in the Lions Club. Mark will be remembered as a loyal friend, devoted husband and father, and a generous, Christian man. His character and integrity were unmatched, and the way he honored his wife, his kids, his family, and his friends will ring forever. He was a great man of God and planted seeds of kindness and goodness wherever he went. His contagious laughter filled any room. He was a member of the Freedom Fellowship. He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Vonda Smallen Thornton; two sons, Chris (Charity) Collins of Loudon, Tennessee and Jason Collins (Michelle) of Greenville; three brothers, Jeff Thornton (Kathy) of San Anselmo, California; Stan Thornton (Tracy) of Greer and Stuart Thornton of Greer; a sister, Christy Helmrich of Greenville; sister-in-law Marsha Varble (Wynn) of Hampshire, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Blake Collins, Lauren Collins, and Crey Collins; and many beloved nephews and nieces. Mark was predeceased by one grandson, Christopher Shaun Collins. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Fairview Baptist Church, conducted by Joseph Gaston and Carl Martin. Visitation will be held at Fairview Baptist Church Wednesday, January 18, 2023, after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Greer Community Ministries, 738 S. Line Street, Greer, SC 29651 or Greer Soup Kitchen, 521 E Poinsett Street, Greer, SC 29651. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Mark Joel Thornton

April 30, 1957 - January 14, 2023