A funeral service for James “Jimmy” Wallace Thorn, age 78, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Higgins Funeral Home with his nephews Bro. Pat Murray and Bro. Joe Thorn officiating. Burial will follow in the Macedonia Cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Higgins Funeral Home.

Jimmy was born on September 21, 1948, in Russellville, AL, to the late Wallace Theo Thorn and Willie Estelle Jones Thorn. He grew up grounded in faith at North Russellville Baptist Church, where his grandfather, Rev. Charlie Duke Thorn, served as preacher, and later joined Concord Baptist Church of Russellville. On April 12, 1968, Jimmy married his beloved wife, Sue, beginning a devoted partnership built on love, hard work, and family.

A skilled tradesman, Jimmy began his career working for Coca-Cola before establishing and owning Thorn Refrigeration in Russellville. After relocating with Sue to Fayetteville, TN, where they both worked for Lee Apparel Company, Jimmy later worked in HVAC with Wayne Farms in Decatur, AL until his retirement. Deeply invested in his community, he spent many years coaching youth football in Russellville, mentoring young athletes in pee-wee and midget leagues and touching countless lives on and off the field.

Outside of work, Jimmy was an avid outdoorsman, craftsman, and car enthusiast who loved working on and driving hot rods. Above all, he was a diehard Alabama Crimson Tide fan—a passion celebrated alongside his family with every touchdown text of “Roll Tide.” Yet, more than anything else in this world, Jimmy cherished “he’s babies”—his beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughters, who were the true pride and joy of his life.

Survivors include his loving wife, Sue Thorn; daughter, Shonda (Billy) Jean; bonus son, Pat (Donna) Murray; granddaughter, Kaylee Jean (Dustin) Moore; and great-granddaughters, Lainey Rae Moore and Millie Grayce Moore, all of Fayetteville, TN; as well as his sister-in-law, Glenda Thorn of Russellville, AL. He also leaves many loved extended family members. In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his brother, Roger Anthony Thorn.

Higgins Funeral Home is privileged to offer comfort, care, and support to the family of James “Jimmy” Wallace Thorn.