Jeanette Thornton Menefee

Jeanette Thornton Menefee, otherwise known as Jane, Jannie Bear, and Nanny to some received her wings on Monday March 11th, 2024.

Jeanette was born January 7th 1942 in Ashburn Va to the late Charles and Mozelle Thornton. She was educated in Loudon County VA. Jeanette was 1 of 9 siblings to whom she loved dearly.

Jeanette met the love of her life Alfred Menefee when she was 18 years old, and they were married for 64 years. Through their union they became parents to their daughter, the late Karen, and daughters Janet, Debbie and Son Bruce. Being a mom brought so much joy to Jeanette’s heart.

Jeanette has had many careers some to note were being a bus driver and a preschool teacher for 18 years. She went into the preschool field because she would go to the school to pick her 1st granddaughter Kesha up, and then decided she wanted to become a teacher too. She loved teaching so much and decided to pursue getting her Child development associates certificate (CDA). Jeanette loved children!

Jeanette was a woman of many talents she could drive a dump truck, throw down in the kitchen, maintain her household and others. She opened her heart and home to many family and friends. She was crafty, savvy, was great at interior decorating, enjoyed cooking, playing bingo, family pokeno, going to the casino, dancing, and most importantly having a great time with friends and family. She also loved traveling and hanging out with her family to many places to include her favorite place, New Jersey to visit her Jersey Family. Jeanette was famous for making her souse, pig feet, Turtle soup, and apple butter; Thornton/Bowles family traditions she continued to carry out to date. Throughout most of her life, she was taking care of someone, her mother, her kids, her grandkids, her nieces, and nephews, cousins, and more. She even went to great lengths to even travel as far as New York with her client to care for her. Jeanette loved her family unconditionally and found great joy in caring for others.

Jeanette leaves to cherish many memories, Her husband Alfred Menefe, her 3 children Janet Menefee (Cleveland, Ohio), Debbie Johnson (Norman) Winchester VA, and Bruce Menefee (Winchester Va), Step son Mitchell Menefee (Manassas VA), Grandchildren; Kesha Menefee Adams (Stuart) Herndon Va, Jeanette Ford (Dashawn) Winchester Va, Juanita Johnson- Winchester Va, La’Tasha Thompson (Carlos) Clevland, Ohio, Angela Johnson -Winchester Va, Norman Johnson III (Rebecca) Middletown Va, Daniel Terrell- Herndon Va, Chantrea Johnson -Anderson, SC, Jasmine Menefee- Winchester Va, Isaac Menefee- Winchester Va, Eli Menefee- Winchester VA. Great Grandkids-Elijah, Azariah Naomi, the late Deja, Natyia, Unique, El’azar, Norman IV, Emersyn, Ezekiel, Zyon, Za’Raya, Carlos Jr, Jiovani, Harmony, and Gerardo. Her brothers: James Thornton (Marguerite) Leesburg Va, Samuel Thronton (Stella) Leesburg Va, David Thornton (Doris) Sterling Va, Mozelle Payton Martinsburg WVA, Sister-in-law Maryalice Thornton Leesburg VA. Jeanette also leaves behind her uncle Leon Thornton, many nieces, nephews, cousins, inherited Grandchildren, and friends.

Grandpups- Cleo and Tiara.

Jeanette was proceeded in death by her daughter and son in law Karen and Daniel Terrell, Stepson Alfred Menefee Jr, brothers; Chester (Ruth), Lester, and Charles, Sister Alice (Charles), and parents Charle and Mozelle Thornton.