FIFTH GENERATION

582. Ralph Thorp was born on 1 Mar 1919 in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas. He died on 26 Jul 1976 in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas.⁽¹⁴⁸⁾ He was buried in Trinity Memorial Park Cemetery, Howard County, Texas.


From the Big Spring Newspaper, July 26, 1976:

Deaths

Ralph Thorp

RalphThorp, 57, died at 4:44 a.m. today in a local hospital.

Services are pending.

He was born March 21, 1919 in Big Spring and married Bonnie Swafford Febryary 7, 1948 in Carlsbad, N. M.

Mr. Thorp attended Big Spring and Forsan schools and graduated from Forsan in 1940. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army. He was employed by the City Water Department before retiring Oct. 26, 1974.

Survivors include his widow of the home; five daughters, Mrs. Jimmie (Pat) Daniels, Mrs. Keith (Sharon) Grant, Mrs. Gary (Sue) Bradberry all of Big Spring; Mrs. Frank (Linda) Howard, Abilene; Mrs. Jerry (Ann) Rodgers of Russelville, Ky.; one son, Ralph Thorp Jr. of Big Spring; four grandchildren; three brothers, Homer Thorp and J. W. Thorp, both of Big Spring; Forest Thorp of Lovington, N. M.; three sisters, Mrs. Howard Dennis, Odessa; Mrs. Norris Sneed, Seminole; Mrs. Wayne Newson, Bakersfield, Cal.

He was married to Bonnie Swafford (daughter of William W. Swafford and Bonnie B.) on 7 Feb 1948 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Bonnie Swafford was born on 24 Jun 1928 in Peter Pender, Franklin County, Arkansas. She died on 7 Feb 1993 in Bexar County, Texas. She was buried in Trinity Memorial Park Cemetery, Howard County, Texas.


From the Big Spring Newspaper, February 8, 1993:


Deaths

Bonnie Thorp

Bonnie Thorp, 64, Big Spring, died Sunday, Feb.7, 1993 at San Antonio State Chest Hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at Myers & Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Claude Craven and the Rev. Randy Cotton officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Memorial Park under the direction Myers & Smith Funeral Home.

She was born June 24, 1928 in Peterpender, Ark. She married Ralph Thorp on Feb. 2, 1947 in Artesia, N.M. He preceded her in death on July 26,1976. She had lived in Big Spring for 43 years and had retired from the Big Spring State Hospital in 1985. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Ralph Thorp Jr., Austin; five daughters: Mrs. Jimmie (Pat) Daniels and Mrs. Gary (Bonnie Sue) Bradbury, both of Big Spring, Mrs. Keith (Sharon) Grant, Greenwood, Mrs. Frank (Linda) Howard, Little Rock, Ark., and Mrs. Jerry (Sarah- 'Ann) Rogers, Russellville, Kent.; two brothers, Joe Swafford and Billy Swafford, both of Artesia, N. M..; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Family suggests memorials be made to Trinity Baptist Church.

The family 'will be at 2201 Alabama.
Ralph Thorp and Bonnie Swafford had the following children:

+1076 i. Patsy Kay Thorp.
+1077 ii. Linda Rose Thorp.
+1078 iii. Bonnie Sue Thorp.
+1079 iv. Sarah Ann Thorp.
+1080 v. Sharon Fay Thorp.
+1081 vi. Ralph Wayne Thorp Jr..