Earlene Thornton

Dr. Earlene Wardlow Hairston Thornton, of Frederick, died peacefully the morning of April 28, 2017. Earlene was a caring and devoted mother, educator, and community leader.

Born on November 25, 1929 in Winston Salem, NC, Earlene was preceded in death by her mother, Julia Hawkins; her devoted grandmother Claire Godbold; her loving husband, Henry James Thornton, Jr.; her cherished son, Henry James Thornton II and her dear sister Lois Fowler.

Earlene has always been involved in working to improve her community. She managed to balance her community involvement with her dedication to her family and career. She also loved the theater and loved to travel - she and her husband traveled to Hong Kong, Hawaii, Italy, Switzerland and made several trips to London and Paris. She has been a devoted member of Evangelical Lutheran Church for over 40 years and co-chaired the church Ethnic Festival with Rev, Phil Fogarty for many years.

Earlene received her Doctorate Degree (Education) from George Washington University and studied Curriculum Administration, Supervision, Reading and Special Education courses at the following colleges: University of Virginia, Syracuse University, George Washington University; North Carolina A&T State University and Winston Salem State University. A retired educator, she served various positions in Frederick and Montgomery County Public Schools and taught College Level Reading and English Composition classes. In addition, she served as Executive Editor of "The County Globe" - a four county bi-monthly Newspaper. She authored and published "To Beulah Land: Challenges in Black and White", a collection of her County Globe editorials. Following her husband’s passing, Earlene established the Earlene and Henry Thornton Scholarship Fund with the Community Foundation of Frederick.

Earlene’s extensive leadership and involvement reflects her tireless efforts to making a difference in her community. She was the first African American woman appointed to serve on the Frederick County Board of Education and the Frederick County Board of Elections. She has served as president for Frederick Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women (of which she is a life member), Frederick County Commission for Women, Frederick County's Human Relations Council, Gamma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Organization, International Reading Association and the Patuxent Women's Coalition. She has served on the board of Community Living, Inc., AARCH (African-American Resources - Cultural and Heritage) Society, Hood College Board of Associates, Heartly House, Salvation Army, Frederick Chapter of NAACP. She has volunteered with many other organizations and groups over the years. She was awarded Frederick Democratic Party’s "Woman of the Year" in 2013 along with other numerous awards and recognitions for her outstanding leadership and involvement.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her loving sons Donald Eugene (Jhawnee) of Orlando, Florida and Jeffrey David of Albany, New York; loving grandsons Corey Gerard of Orlando and Landon Ray of Rochester, New York; devoted niece Iris "Peaches" Roseboro, and her children Ashley and Osbourne; cousins: Karen Williams, Tonya Burke, Greg Thomas, Carman Howard, Anthony Thomas, Doreen Thomas, LaMont Williams, Margie Moore and Myra Johnson ; brother-in-law Thomas Thornton (Doris), sister-in-law Virginia Wilks (Melvin); childhood friends Thelma Foy and Eloise Pepree; devoted friend, Rose Chaney and other cousins and relatives.

Home going service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 31 E. Church Street in Frederick. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Earlene and Henry Thornton Scholarship Fund with the Community Foundation of Frederick, 312 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.