Edna Mae Hill McCandless (1887-1977), usually referred to as Mrs. Albert E. Thornton, Jr., was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Edward Salmond McCandless (1852-1935) and Lina Amelia Hill (1864-1948). She studied in Paris from 1905 to 1908, and in 1912 married Albert Edward Thornton, Jr. (1885-1953). During World War I, Thornton became Vice Chairman of the Liberty Loan drive, as well as the secretary of the Atlanta Chapter of the Red Cross. In 1941, she formed the Atlanta Chapter of the British War Relief Society with Mrs. Daniel MacDougald. The British War Relief Society was incorporated in 1941 to provide non-military aid to Britain, often acting as a center for administration and donations for smaller charitable organizations throughout the United States. The Atlanta Chapter grew and its headquarters opened at 244 Peachtree Street in 1941 and later at 1096 Peachtree Street in 1943. Until its closing in 1945, the Atlanta chapter organized many donations, including clothing, canteens, and Christmas gifts, and hosted events, including a fundraising fashion show at Rich’s.