Vanetta “Tookie” McClellan Thornberry

Vanetta “Tookie” McClellan Thornberry passed away on Thursday, September 26, after a lengthy illness. Born in 1937 and raised in Clarendon, she was the daughter of Carroll and John McClellan and devoted older sister to Jackie McClellan Clark.

Tookie enjoyed growing up in Clarendon where her life was full of friends, Church, Girl Scout camp, and school activities. She embraced it all with a big heart and a fun-loving spirit, qualities that stayed with her throughout life.

A graduate of Clarendon High School, Tookie also attended Clarendon College. In 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Thornberry, and they shared 63 years of marriage until his passing in 2021. Tookie was a full partner on the Thornberry Ranch, keeping an eagle eye on cattle and weather.

Tookie was a worker. Whether it was in real estate, a long career at the Donley County State Bank, or volunteer activities, she gave her all. She was a lifelong member of Clarendon Methodist Church where she served on various committees and enjoyed Sunday School. Tookie loved her community and its history and was an active board member of Saints’ Roost Museum where she played a role in helping start the Annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff. She also enjoyed her membership in Les Beaux Art Club and served Meals on Wheels for a number of years. She treasured her friends of all ages.

At the center of Tookie’s life was her family. She is survived by three sons – Mac, and his wife, Sally; Lance and his wife, Judy; and Drew and his wife, Lesa. She was the beloved “Meme” to Chase (Caitlan), Cortnee (Matt), Will (Temnite), Mary Kemp; Amber, (Paul); Ashlen, (Patrick); and ten great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister, Jackie Clark, and brother-in-law, Will; her sister-in-law, Pat Thornberry, her nephews Richard, (Leane); Sandy, (Bobbie) and Mark, (Cynthia), and her dear niece, Haley, (David). She cherished each of them and their families.

The Thornberry family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of Goodlife Senior Living for the exceptional love and care they gave Tookie. We would also like to thank Enhabit Hospice for their professionalism and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at Clarendon Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 2, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to can donate in her honor to: Clarendon Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157 Clarendon, Texas 79226 or Saints Roost Museum, https://www.saintsroostmuseum.com/Donate or P.O. Box 781, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Arrangements are entrusted to Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.