Pickwick, TN – Tina Denise Thornton-Orr, 68, passed away peacefully at Sanctuary House in Tupelo with her family near. Born on March 23, 1968, Denise was the oldest of three children to Marcus and Elizabeth Timms.

Denise attended elementary and high school in Tupelo before continuing her education at Itawamba Community College. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. Denise dedicated her entire career to the nursing field spending 28 years at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, followed by 14 years with Union University Germantown campus. She most recently spent two years at Blue Mountain College.

Denise is survived by her husband, Steve Orr, of Iuka; two sisters, Delisa Edrington of Saltillo, and Diane Fields (Art) of Arlington, TN; two sons, Casey Thornton of Saltillo, and Kelly Thornton (Jessica) of Iuka; two step-children, Stephanie Luhm (Mike) of Little Elm, TX, and Ryan Orr (Lindsey) of McDonough, GA; nine grandchildren, Skylar Thornton, Stella Orr, Cruz Thornton, Parker Thornton, Kenslee Holloway, Wiley Luhm, Sadie Orr, Kail Thornton, and Cora Thornton; as well as the many students and close friends who will miss her greatly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marcus Timms and Elizabeth (Russell) Timms.

A Celebration of Life honoring Mrs. Denise will be at 5 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Saltillo Chapel of Pegues Funeral Directors, 280 Mobile Street, Saltillo, Mississippi 38866. There will also be a celebration of life at 6 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2026, at Ellendale Baptist Church, 3861 Broadway Road, Bartlett, Tennessee 38135. Pegues Funeral Directors have been entrusted with the care of her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, Denise’s wish is for donations to be made to Church Health at 1350 Concourse Ave, Suite 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38104.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be left at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.