Obituary

Bette Jane Thornhill
(November 11, 1926 - May 24, 2013)

Bette Jane Jones Thornhill was born to the late Gustan and Fannie Meade Jones on November 11, 1926 and departed this life at her daughter’s home in Wichita, KS on May 24, 2013. Bette’s entire life was spent in Huntington, West Virginia where she participated in civic and social organizations and activities. She graduated from Douglass High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree from West Virginia State University. She was a social worker and retired from the WV Department of Health and Human Resources after 30 years. Bette married the love of her life, Melvin T. Thornhill in September of 1948. Three children were born to this union, which lasted until Melvin’s death in 1981: Windle A. Thornhill, Melvin T. Thornhill, II, and Fannette Thornhill-Scott. Bette was an active member of First Baptist Church serving many years on the usher board and participated in Group 9 Women's Organization. She was a 67-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a volunteer with the Cabell Huntington Hospital Auxiliary. Bette loved playing bingo, traveling, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband; sister, Aileen Johnson; niece, Janice Gould; great nephew, Melvin Grayson; and special cousins, Kennol and Everett Knight. Mourning her loss are two loving sons, Windle A. Thornhill, Huntington, WV, Melvin T. Thornhill, II, Wichita, KS; a devoted daughter and son-in-law, Fannette Thornhill-Scott, MD, MPH and Thomas Scott, MD of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren, Marcus, Christopher Michael, Christopher Aaron, Vincent, Winde, Winnetta, Jasmine, Juan, Jonathan, Ryan, Kent Esq., Kevin, Teddi MD, Andrea MD, Angela MS, Adrienne Esq., Ayinde; niece, Claudia Grayson (Frank), Conyers, GA; nephews, Herbert Johnson and William Woody; special friends Nellie Lee Myers and Nettie Jackson; godson, DuVaughn Hale, and a host of great grandchildren, family, and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the “Raise a Roof, Open the Doors” campaign at First Baptist Church, Huntington, WV. The Celebration of life will be 1:00PM Friday at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Donte' Jackson, officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 6-8PM Thursday at Ferrell-Chambers Funeral Home.