Ms. Jerelean Denise Thornton

Legacy of Jerelean Denise Thornton Jerelean D. Thornton—a God-fearing mother, a lover of people and laughter, and philanthropist was born on October 16, 1951 in Deerfield Beach, Florida to the late Clifford and Rosa Lee Troutman. She was a proud member of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church where Dr. William E. Flippin was Senior Pastor. Jerelean graduated from Pompano Beach Senior High in 1969. She received a B.S. degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida and a Master's in Education from Cambridge College in Boston, Massachusetts. She also attended Mary Holmes Junior College in West Point, Mississippi and Georgia State University and Clark-Atlanta University—both in Atlanta, Georgia. She received a teaching certificate for Pre-K through 8th grade and for data collecting. Jerelean began her career as an educator in Rockdale County at Flat Shoals Elementary in xxxxxx, where she taught 3rd grade. In 1984, she was employed as an elementary school teacher by the DeKalb County Board of Education at Chapel Hill Elementary School. After returning from maternity leave in 1987, she was transferred to Canby Lane Elementary School where she worked diligently until retirement. She was always on the leadership teams and served as chairperson for all grade levels (She taught 2nd-7th. grades). She served and participated in numerous committees such as: Sunshine, BETA Club, Student Council, 4-H Club, Career Day, Black History, Mentoring, Field Day, and Teacher of the Year Committee. She also served as liaison for both Chapel Hill and Canby Lane. She chaired the Black History Committee in which many outstanding programs were given awards and accolades, including the national award for activities submitted. She had a passion and truly enjoyed organizing programs such as talent shows, fashion shows, pageants, and Career Day. In 2000, Jerelean was nominated and voted "Teacher of the Year" by xxxxxxxx. She received numerous awards and recognitions for her hard work and diligence as an educator and most of all as a giving person. She was involved and served in many organizations such as: NAACP, officer of American Business Women of Association (ABWA), League of Educators, GAE/ODE National Council of Negro Women, Inc., National Congress of Black Women, and Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Decatur Alumnae Chapter) where served on the executive board and many committees, officer of Order of Eastern Stars (OES) Ruth Chapter 102, member of Gamma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Omega Pearl, Florida A&M University Alumnae Chapter, Life time PTA member and a founder of the Heart 2 Heart Annual Mother’s Day Brunch. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Mr. Nathaniel Thornton; three daughters, Angela Thornton, Latasha Thornton and Nikkia Thornton; one special grand-daughter, Hannah Hollman; three sisters, Mildred T. Walker (Robert), Margaret Jackson (Ted), and Fredericka Chapell; five brothers, Reverend Sander Troutman (Elizabeth), Bishop Tommy Lee (Brenda), Joseph Troutman (Lucinda), Johnny Troutman and Gary Troutman; one uncle, Robert Allen (RJ); father-in-law, Lewis B. Nelson; brother-in-law, Elijah Thomas (Jackie), god-children, Kenya Rolle, Danett Vaughn, Lesha Summers, Paderus Pratter, Patrick Pratter, Ross Turner and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Precede her in Death Brother Clifford Troutman, Jr., Brother-In-Law William Chapell and Mother-In-Law Louise Nelson and Brother-In-Law William Chapell Visitation Friday 12-8pm with wake 7-8pm

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Ms. Jerelean Denise Thornton

October 16, 1951 - March 22, 2017