Jewell Monteith Thornton

Melinda Rebecca Jewell Monteith Thornton, age 100, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Abernethy Laurels in Newton, NC. Born November 5, 1914 in Swain County, NC, she was the daughter of the late James Walter Monteith and Rebecca Mae Whitesides Monteith. She was a homemaker and a member of North Newton Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and was a Girl Scout Leader. She loved to crochet, quilt, and tat, but her greatest pleasure came from spending time with family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Meredith Thornton; siblings, Willis Ritter, Hiram Monteith, Birch Monteith, and Jonnie Ritter.

Left to cherish her memory are children, Gordon Meredith Thornton Jr. and wife, Karolyn, of Conover, Harriet Elizabeth Smith and husband, Iverson, of Shelby, James Wayne Thornton of Newton, Michael Monteith Thornton of Newton, Dorothy Rebecca Bauguess of Hickory, Nettie Laura Davis and husband, Lee, of Clemmons, Duane Alan Thornton of Newton, Janice Elaine Baldwin of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Clifton Thornton, Alan Thornton, Ted Thornton, Sandra Champion, Sharon Wilson, Carrie Floyd, Miki Younce, Allen Bauguess, Leslie Taylor, Lindsey Davis, Greg Baldwin; great-grandchildren, Kelyn Thornton, Jack Thornton, Whittaker Thornton, Nicholas Thornton, Michael Thornton, Wyatt Thornton, Kirby Thornton, Will Champion, Katie Wilson, Gracie Wilson, James Floyd, Kaylynn Floyd, Jonna Hughes, Kayla Younce, Broderick Bauguess, Evie Bauguess, Delaine Baldwin, and Laurel Baldwin.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Conover with Rev. Dr. Tom Early officiating. Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery in Newton, NC.

Her family will receive friends on Saturday from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Newton Baptist Church, 316 West 21st Street, Newton, NC 28658.