The legendary, spunky, and quick witted, Ethel Imogene Thorne gained her wings on October 21, 2018 at the young age of 97 years. She was born on April 7, 1921 in Eldorado, Illinois where she won her famous silver cup at the 1923 Franklin County Fair for "most improved child". Although, she wasn't a real Okie, she considered herself "an Okie from near Muskogee". She was a coal miner's daughter and if she could sing she would be just like Loretta (Lynn).

She moved from Illinois to Schulter, Oklahoma where E.B. was a persistent suiter. They were married for nearly 75 years. He often called her "mother" but she wasn't sure why because she wasn't his mother. However, she did mother three of his children: Ronnie Thorne, Joyce George, and Barry Thorne.

She enjoyed many different activities throughout her life. She truly enjoyed camping at Treasure Lake in Branson, Missouri. She could play a mean game of Skip-Bo and Mexican Train. She quilted many beautiful quilts and cross stitched too many pictures to count. She spent a lot of time doing genealogy. She enjoyed sitting on the front porch looking at hummingbirds and feeding Nelle (Poochie) the majority of her lunch. She loved going to the Butterfly House. And her absolute favorite was going to Picking on the Square every Friday evening. Her grandfather taught her to say "a reek come out of the lum" she told us that it means "smoke comes out of the chimney" wondering why he taught her this, we looked it up and it means "have a long and healthy life", which she did. Her secret was simply eating chocolate, Krispie Kreme donuts and black coffee with a lot chocolate candy on the side.

She leaves behind her three children, Ronnie and Barry Thorne and Joyce George; seven grandchildren, James George, Jeff Thorne, Greg Thorne, Kelly George, Eric Thorne, Monica Thorne and Sophia Thorne; six great grandchildren, Emily Thorne, Stephanie Carl, Ethan Thorne, Taelyn George, Archer Thorne, and Everett Thorne; three great-great grandchildren, Jason Dosset, Elizabeth Booth, and Rosie Parsons; her beloved cat, Mollie; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 25 from 4-6 p.m. at Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory in Wagoner.  The Graveside Funeral Service honoring her life will be held on Friday, October 26 at 11 a.m. at Okmulgee Cemetery in Okmulgee.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Serenity Hospice Care, 5272 Flat River Road, Park Hills, MO 63601.