Emmett Oliver Thornton

Emmett Oliver Thornton was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 3rd, 1984. He was the son of the late “Butch” Cleveland Martin, Sr. and the late Darlene Thornton. He departed this Earthly Life and went to his Eternal Heavenly Home on Sunday, June 27, 2021 with his Loving wife, Miranda and his Devoted aunt, Jonelle by his side.

Emmett attended schools in the Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh Public School Districts. After obtaining his High School Diploma, he first attended CCAC, then graduated several years later with an Associate Degree in Business, Specialty in Paralegal Studies.

At a young age, Emmett accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He attended Allegheny Center Alliance Church (ACAC), which is located on the Northside of Pittsburgh with his mother and maternal brothers. About the age of 9, Emmett began visiting his Aunt Jonelle on many weekends. She became his legal guardian when he was 13 years old. During these times, Emmett attended Bethany Baptist Church, which is located in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh. Emmett also participated in Sunday School, KUC (Kids Under Construction), and YCC (Young Christian Conquers). As an adult, Emmett mostly attended ACAC but also attended Bethany several times a year with his growing family.

While a student at CCAC, Emmett suffered with Fatigue and withdrew from school. His health continued to decline to the point where he was unable to walk. After being hospitalized he was sent to rehab where he re-gained his ambulation. It would be several more years before he was diagnosed with Lupus, which the doctor said he had already had for some time. Lupus is a chronic and complex Autoimmune Disorder which can cause Fatigue; Painful Swelling of Joints; and widespread inflammation and tissue damage to affected organs. Inflammation can also occur in the membrane that surrounds the heart.

Emmett was united in Holy Matrimony to his Soul Mate and the Love of his Life, Miranda on February 2, 2010. This union was blessed with five children, Alexis, Rory, Emma, Avery and Jackson. Emmett’s success in life was not deterred by Lupus. He worked hard to provide for his family. Emmett was a family man who kept in contact with his immediate and extended family members especially his same-aged cousins. He spent countless hours being with, holding, and talking to his children. He talked about his future dream for each of them, taking their interests and stating successful careers they might pursue. His wife wrote: “When it came to Fatherhood, Emmett saw it as a true way of life. Determine to leave a legacy of Honor and Love, Emmett was the very definition of a King who ruled his with wisdom and compassion. If you could choose one word to describe Emmett as a Father, it would be “True”.

Throughout adulthood, Emmett battled with Lupus. He was sensitive to very cold and hot temperatures. He often had instances of being short of breath, was in pain more than he would admit and suffered with inflammation which included the skin around his heart. Emmett’s heart membrane was inflammed and he was scheduled to have it removed in August. At his wife’s insistance, due to extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and not feeling well - Emmett drove himself to the hospital on May 17th. The hardening outside of his heart had significantly grown since it was last examined in March. After a failed attempt to shock his heart, Emmett was placed

in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where he fought to breath on his own. On Father’s Day, June 20th, he appeared to be winning the battle and rejoiced when his children were given special permission to visit him. Four days later, he was unresponsive and though there were several signs of hope, on Sunday June 27th Emmett passed.

Emmett was preceded in death by his mother, Darlene Thornton; father, “Butch” Cleveland Martin, Sr.; and sister, Tonya Martin. He leaves in God’s care, his Beloved wife, Miranda Alyce Thompson Thornton; children, Alexis Marie Thompson, Rory Oliver Thornton, Emma Michelle Clevie Thornton, Avery Ruth Thornton, and Jackson Oliver Lamar Thornton; siblings – Cleveland Martin Jr., James Martin, Walter Martin, Joyce Martin, Lawrence Martin, Darrin Martin, Darnell Jackson, Jamel Thornton; Stepmother, Lila Scoggins; Aunt/ Guardian, Jonelle Thornton Watson; Aunts Yolanda Johnson, Angeline Gandy, Antoinette Wright, Karen Wright, Andrea Wright, and Gloria Cobb; Uncle – Otis Gandy; sister-in-law – Cosandra Thompson; brother-in-law, Leroy Thompson Jr; many nieces and nephews; countless cousins; and a wealth of friends.

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