Mary Sue Maples Thornburgh died, following a brief illness, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Born March 11, 1940, she was preceded in death by her parents, John and Susie Maples of Birmingham, Montgomery and Maplesville, Alabama. A resident of Liberty Park at the time of her passing, Mrs. Thornburgh was a lifelong resident of the Birmingham area and a graduate of the Birmingham and Vestavia School systems. On May 2, 1962, Mary Sue graduated summa cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College, and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa. She then married J. Donald (Don) Thornburgh shortly after her graduation. The couple was married for 60 years.

Mary Sue and Don raised two sons, John Winston (Joanie Connell) and James Donald Thornburgh Jr. (Chu Kim), who are both practicing attorneys in California. Three granddaughters, Elizabeth Thorell and Riley and Kaylee Thornburgh of California were the joys of her life. Mary Sue and Don enjoyed travel, and were long-time members of Independent Presbyterian Church. She was loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 12th of June 2022, at Independent Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 3100 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35205. Graveside services will commence at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 13th of June, at Alabama National Cemetery located in Montevallo, Alabama.

In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Mary Sue’s name be directed to the scholarship program at Birmingham-Southern College located at 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35254 or by visiting their website at https://www.bsc.edu

Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.  Click here to view the funeral home website.