Obituary for Juliette Thornton
Juliette Rodgers Thornton was born on April 17, 1947 to Flossie and Cleatus Rodgers, Sr. who preceded her in death. She fell into a deep sleep on July 16, 2020, to be with the Lord who was the Head of her life.
Juliette accepted Christ at an early age and united with New Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church then to Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and worshipped with Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church until her call to be with the Lord. She was very active in the church volunteering as Church Secretary on each Sunday. She was also excited to participate in the annual “Angel Tree” gift exchange for the children. She definitely enjoyed seeing the faces of all the children to whom she delivered gifts.
Juliette received her education in the Chattanooga Public Schools and graduated with honors from Riverside High School in 1965 where she was crowned Miss Senior. She remained very close to her classmates and was looking forward to this year’s class reunion.
Juliette graduated from Knoxville College in May 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Juliette went on to obtain a Master’s of Science (M.S.) degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in May 1978. She was an active member of the Knoxville College Alumni Chapter. While at Knoxville College she was initiated into the Gamma Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in November 1967. In 1969, she was honored to be crowned, “Queen Fashionetta.”
Juliette was a fervent member in the Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she served as the Parliamentarian for the last 51 years and also held positions on numerous committees. Her most cherished accomplishments within the sorority were in 1992 and 2017 in which she was recognized as a 25-year member at the same time as her daughter became a member of the organization thus 50-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at the same time as her daughter became a 25-year member.
Juliette’s dedication to working started at a young age. Throughout her career, she worked for the City of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Board of Education, Moccasin Bend Psychiatric Hospital and retiring from Tennessee Valley Authority in 1997 and the City of Chattanooga in 2011.
Among her many accomplishments, Juliette was a Charter member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chattanooga Chapter. Through the years she remained a dedicated member, served as Parliamentarian for several administrations, and was active on various committees, willingly sharing her scholarly viewpoint. In the Chapter’s formative years, Juliette was the originator of one of the annual signature events, the Black Pioneer Woman of Excellence Awards Program, now in its nineteenth year. She was a classic example of true sisterhood and embraced the mission of NCBW in all that she did on behalf of the chapter.
Juliette was a Charter member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Juliette was a board member for the Good Neighbor Housing, Inc. where she served until her untimely passing. She also was a board member for the Children’s Academy for Education and Learning in which she loved very dearly.
Juliette was friendly and enjoyed talking to people who came from all walks of life. She never met a stranger and loved to give wisdom to both the young and the “matured”. She loved her family to no end and was known as the “Historian” within the family circle. She especially loved all the children as if they were her own. Holidays were very special to her. During this time, she made sure that everyone in her immediate family got at least two gifts thus creating a trend she has passed onto her daughter.
Juliette enjoyed traveling all over the world including going to her summer home in Florida and meeting new people. She loved cruising.
Juliette is survived by her pride and joy, a devoted and loving daughter, Dr. Angela M. Thornton, Tallahassee, Florida. She nurtured, supported and taught Angela to trust in God, be faithful and pray. Others to mourn her are sister, Gloria J. Rodgers, Atlanta, Georgia and brother, Cleatus (Patricia) Rodgers, Jr., Chattanooga, Tennessee; niece, Jasmine T. Rodgers, Jacksonville, North Carolina; nephews, Jerome (Aronda) P. Rodgers, Marietta, Georgia and Cleatus (Jailita) Rodgers, III, Charlotte, North Carolina; great-nieces, Ayanna and Jenna Rodgers, Marietta, Georgia and Jordyn Rodgers, Charlotte, North Carolina; 5 aunts, Freda Eason, Inkster, Michigan, Ozella Morris (John), Sun City, Arizona, Minnie Rodgers, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lucinda Ervin, Cleveland, Ohio, and Uncle, James Boone (Loraine), Huntsville, Alabama. Devoted cousins, Brenda Pankey, Lynette Rooks, Huntsville, Alabama; Devoted friends, Dr. Dianne Damper, Sherone Shavers-Richie, Helen Jones, Barbara Roberts, Spencer Horton and Albert Thornton. Many other loving family and friends.
A public viewing will be held 2:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the funeral home. A private funeral service will be held. Interment: Forest Hills Cemetery.
The funeral service will be broadcasted live at 11:00 am EST Thursday, July 30, 2020 at www.johnpfranklinfuneralhomefacebook.com.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
Juliette accepted Christ at an early age and united with New Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church then to Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and worshipped with Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church until her call to be with the Lord. She was very active in the church volunteering as Church Secretary on each Sunday. She was also excited to participate in the annual “Angel Tree” gift exchange for the children. She definitely enjoyed seeing the faces of all the children to whom she delivered gifts.
Juliette received her education in the Chattanooga Public Schools and graduated with honors from Riverside High School in 1965 where she was crowned Miss Senior. She remained very close to her classmates and was looking forward to this year’s class reunion.
Juliette graduated from Knoxville College in May 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Juliette went on to obtain a Master’s of Science (M.S.) degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in May 1978. She was an active member of the Knoxville College Alumni Chapter. While at Knoxville College she was initiated into the Gamma Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in November 1967. In 1969, she was honored to be crowned, “Queen Fashionetta.”
Juliette was a fervent member in the Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she served as the Parliamentarian for the last 51 years and also held positions on numerous committees. Her most cherished accomplishments within the sorority were in 1992 and 2017 in which she was recognized as a 25-year member at the same time as her daughter became a member of the organization thus 50-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at the same time as her daughter became a 25-year member.
Juliette’s dedication to working started at a young age. Throughout her career, she worked for the City of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Board of Education, Moccasin Bend Psychiatric Hospital and retiring from Tennessee Valley Authority in 1997 and the City of Chattanooga in 2011.
Among her many accomplishments, Juliette was a Charter member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chattanooga Chapter. Through the years she remained a dedicated member, served as Parliamentarian for several administrations, and was active on various committees, willingly sharing her scholarly viewpoint. In the Chapter’s formative years, Juliette was the originator of one of the annual signature events, the Black Pioneer Woman of Excellence Awards Program, now in its nineteenth year. She was a classic example of true sisterhood and embraced the mission of NCBW in all that she did on behalf of the chapter.
Juliette was a Charter member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Juliette was a board member for the Good Neighbor Housing, Inc. where she served until her untimely passing. She also was a board member for the Children’s Academy for Education and Learning in which she loved very dearly.
Juliette was friendly and enjoyed talking to people who came from all walks of life. She never met a stranger and loved to give wisdom to both the young and the “matured”. She loved her family to no end and was known as the “Historian” within the family circle. She especially loved all the children as if they were her own. Holidays were very special to her. During this time, she made sure that everyone in her immediate family got at least two gifts thus creating a trend she has passed onto her daughter.
Juliette enjoyed traveling all over the world including going to her summer home in Florida and meeting new people. She loved cruising.
Juliette is survived by her pride and joy, a devoted and loving daughter, Dr. Angela M. Thornton, Tallahassee, Florida. She nurtured, supported and taught Angela to trust in God, be faithful and pray. Others to mourn her are sister, Gloria J. Rodgers, Atlanta, Georgia and brother, Cleatus (Patricia) Rodgers, Jr., Chattanooga, Tennessee; niece, Jasmine T. Rodgers, Jacksonville, North Carolina; nephews, Jerome (Aronda) P. Rodgers, Marietta, Georgia and Cleatus (Jailita) Rodgers, III, Charlotte, North Carolina; great-nieces, Ayanna and Jenna Rodgers, Marietta, Georgia and Jordyn Rodgers, Charlotte, North Carolina; 5 aunts, Freda Eason, Inkster, Michigan, Ozella Morris (John), Sun City, Arizona, Minnie Rodgers, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lucinda Ervin, Cleveland, Ohio, and Uncle, James Boone (Loraine), Huntsville, Alabama. Devoted cousins, Brenda Pankey, Lynette Rooks, Huntsville, Alabama; Devoted friends, Dr. Dianne Damper, Sherone Shavers-Richie, Helen Jones, Barbara Roberts, Spencer Horton and Albert Thornton. Many other loving family and friends.
A public viewing will be held 2:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at the funeral home. A private funeral service will be held. Interment: Forest Hills Cemetery.
The funeral service will be broadcasted live at 11:00 am EST Thursday, July 30, 2020 at www.johnpfranklinfuneralhomefacebook.com.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.