Orlena Mae "Klickie" (Klickman) Thornton

Obituary

Orlena Mae "Klickie" (Klickman) Thornton, age 100, passed away

peacefully, surrounded by her family, in Augusta, Georgia, on March

16th, 2021.  She was born on May 31, 1920, on a farm outside Port

Clinton, Ohio, to the late William Albert and Ruth Elizabeth (Gyde)

Klickman.  She graduated high school at the age of 16 and put herself

through college at the University of Toledo, where she was a member of

the Tau Delta Sigma sorority.  With her education degree she taught

school in Oak Harbor before becoming one of the first United Airlines

stewardesses during WWII.

In 1946 she met Lt. Col. Clark O. Thornton in New York City.  After a

whirlwind romance they were married for 58 years.  Together they lived

the military life, raised four children, and moved frequently.  They

enjoyed traveling the world together and made many friends along the

way.

She was predeceased by her husband and grandson Colin and leaves

behind her children: Bill (Jacky Becker); Mary (Ed Boothe); Tom (Patti

Richards); and Ann (David Byrd); eight grandchildren; and fifteen great

grand-children; niece Christine Klickman and nephew Cal (Vic Sawyer)

Klickman.

Klickie was always on the go.  She stayed busy hosting  many

military, diplomatic, and Officers' Wives Club functions, playing

bridge, and volunteering into her 90's.  Some of her many activities

included coordinating Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops when her

children were young.  In Washington, D.C. she organized the chapter of

retired United Airlines stewardesses, Clipped Wings.  She helped form

the Special Olympics and took pride in serving as an "Arlington Lady"

assisting grieving military families at Arlington National Cemetery.

In the 60's Klickie got her Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling

and enjoyed teaching gifted children.  She then became the first

counselor at Brookwood High School in Brookwood, Alabama.  After

retiring, in addition to keeping up with her many friends, she stayed

active in her church, St. Mark UMC, Northport, Alabama.  She also

volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Hospice of West Alabama, University

Women's Club, the Southern Culture Club, and as a poll worker.

Klickie lived a long life serving others and set a fine example for

academic excellence, community leadership, and philanthropy.  The

family is very thankful for the love and care given her these past few

years at Brookdale Assisted Living of North Augusta.  Serving as

honorary pallbearers are: Members of the McCollum Sunday school class

of St Mark; Kay Culton; Lib Powell; Madeleine Passerini; Francis

Eatmon; and Dot Powell.  The legacy she leaves will live on in the

hearts of all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be planned for St. Mark UMC.  Interment will

be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Hospice, Meals on

Wheels, University of Toledo, or the University of Alabama.