Gwen was born on August 21, 1933 in Attalla, Etowah, Alabama to Otis Franklin Worthey and Sadie Pearl (Smith) Worthey. She was one of four daughters; Elinor June, who died in infancy, Eula Mae, and Barbara Ann, (both of whom preceded her in death). She was educated in Alabama public schools and continued her education, graduating with a license in cosmetology. At an early age, Gwen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Attalla, Alabama.
On January 5, 1952, Gwen married Willie Thornton. They were married for 64 years before his passing in 2016. Together they raised four daughters, one son, one grandson and lost one daughter, Cheryl Monet, who died in infancy.
Willie and Gwen lived in various places, courtesy of the US Air Force, including Alabama, Texas, Massachusetts, and England before settling in Las Vegas, where Willie retired. They remained in Las Vegas until their deaths. Gwen worked for several hotels including the Landmark and Frontier before transitioning into teaching. Gwen had a passion for working with disabled children. Fulfilling that passion she worked at Helen J Stewart School until she was sidelined by a major stroke and retired.
Gwendolyn was an active member of Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was an integral part of the music department, additionally she worked as a sound tech operating the sound equipment for Second Baptist’s weekly radio broadcast. Her service also included, director and member of the adult choir, coordinating the yearly Harvest Program, and she was one of the founding members of the Nurse’s Guild.
Gwendolyn had a lifelong love of music and played the piano and sang selections for the Second Baptist Choir. She could often be heard singing and humming at home. One of her proudest accomplishments was publishing a book of poems entitled “Fruits of the Spirit.” Which includes a selection of her original poems, poems from some of her favorite poets, and selected poems from her mother, Sadie Pearl Worthey.
Gwendolyn loved children. She was an unofficial “mother” and “grandmother” to many children at Second Baptist and in the neighborhood where she lived.
She is survived by her son Andre Thornton of Las Vegas, daughters Yvonne Selmon (Philip) of Glendale, AZ, Phyllis Seabrook-Young of Lithonia, GA (Donald Seabrook and Spencer Young, both deceased), Jacquelyn Brooks (Brian), and Pamela Grossmann (Thomas) both of Las Vegas, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and well as a host other relatives and friends
On January 5, 1952, Gwen married Willie Thornton. They were married for 64 years before his passing in 2016. Together they raised four daughters, one son, one grandson and lost one daughter, Cheryl Monet, who died in infancy.
Willie and Gwen lived in various places, courtesy of the US Air Force, including Alabama, Texas, Massachusetts, and England before settling in Las Vegas, where Willie retired. They remained in Las Vegas until their deaths. Gwen worked for several hotels including the Landmark and Frontier before transitioning into teaching. Gwen had a passion for working with disabled children. Fulfilling that passion she worked at Helen J Stewart School until she was sidelined by a major stroke and retired.
Gwendolyn was an active member of Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was an integral part of the music department, additionally she worked as a sound tech operating the sound equipment for Second Baptist’s weekly radio broadcast. Her service also included, director and member of the adult choir, coordinating the yearly Harvest Program, and she was one of the founding members of the Nurse’s Guild.
Gwendolyn had a lifelong love of music and played the piano and sang selections for the Second Baptist Choir. She could often be heard singing and humming at home. One of her proudest accomplishments was publishing a book of poems entitled “Fruits of the Spirit.” Which includes a selection of her original poems, poems from some of her favorite poets, and selected poems from her mother, Sadie Pearl Worthey.
Gwendolyn loved children. She was an unofficial “mother” and “grandmother” to many children at Second Baptist and in the neighborhood where she lived.
She is survived by her son Andre Thornton of Las Vegas, daughters Yvonne Selmon (Philip) of Glendale, AZ, Phyllis Seabrook-Young of Lithonia, GA (Donald Seabrook and Spencer Young, both deceased), Jacquelyn Brooks (Brian), and Pamela Grossmann (Thomas) both of Las Vegas, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and well as a host other relatives and friends
Gwen was born on August 21, 1933 in Attalla, Etowah, Alabama to Otis Franklin Worthey and Sadie Pearl (Smith) Worthey. She was one of four daughters; Elinor June, who died in infancy, Eula Mae, and Barbara Ann, (both of whom preceded her in death). She was educated in Alabama public schools and continued her education, graduating with a license in cosmetology. At an early age, Gwen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Attalla, Alabama.
On January 5, 1952, Gwen married Willie Thornton. They were married for 64 years before his passing in 2016. Together they raised four daughters, one son, one grandson and lost one daughter, Cheryl Monet, who died in infancy.
Willie and Gwen lived in various places, courtesy of the US Air Force, including Alabama, Texas, Massachusetts, and England before settling in Las Vegas, where Willie retired. They remained in Las Vegas until their deaths. Gwen worked for several hotels including the Landmark and Frontier before transitioning into teaching. Gwen had a passion for working with disabled children. Fulfilling that passion she worked at Helen J Stewart School until she was sidelined by a major stroke and retired.
Gwendolyn was an active member of Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was an integral part of the music department, additionally she worked as a sound tech operating the sound equipment for Second Baptist’s weekly radio broadcast. Her service also included, director and member of the adult choir, coordinating the yearly Harvest Program, and she was one of the founding members of the Nurse’s Guild.
Gwendolyn had a lifelong love of music and played the piano and sang selections for the Second Baptist Choir. She could often be heard singing and humming at home. One of her proudest accomplishments was publishing a book of poems entitled “Fruits of the Spirit.” Which includes a selection of her original poems, poems from some of her favorite poets, and selected poems from her mother, Sadie Pearl Worthey.
Gwendolyn loved children. She was an unofficial “mother” and “grandmother” to many children at Second Baptist and in the neighborhood where she lived.
She is survived by her son Andre Thornton of Las Vegas, daughters Yvonne Selmon (Philip) of Glendale, AZ, Phyllis Seabrook-Young of Lithonia, GA (Donald Seabrook and Spencer Young, both deceased), Jacquelyn Brooks (Brian), and Pamela Grossmann (Thomas) both of Las Vegas, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and well as a host other relatives and friends
On January 5, 1952, Gwen married Willie Thornton. They were married for 64 years before his passing in 2016. Together they raised four daughters, one son, one grandson and lost one daughter, Cheryl Monet, who died in infancy.
Willie and Gwen lived in various places, courtesy of the US Air Force, including Alabama, Texas, Massachusetts, and England before settling in Las Vegas, where Willie retired. They remained in Las Vegas until their deaths. Gwen worked for several hotels including the Landmark and Frontier before transitioning into teaching. Gwen had a passion for working with disabled children. Fulfilling that passion she worked at Helen J Stewart School until she was sidelined by a major stroke and retired.
Gwendolyn was an active member of Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was an integral part of the music department, additionally she worked as a sound tech operating the sound equipment for Second Baptist’s weekly radio broadcast. Her service also included, director and member of the adult choir, coordinating the yearly Harvest Program, and she was one of the founding members of the Nurse’s Guild.
Gwendolyn had a lifelong love of music and played the piano and sang selections for the Second Baptist Choir. She could often be heard singing and humming at home. One of her proudest accomplishments was publishing a book of poems entitled “Fruits of the Spirit.” Which includes a selection of her original poems, poems from some of her favorite poets, and selected poems from her mother, Sadie Pearl Worthey.
Gwendolyn loved children. She was an unofficial “mother” and “grandmother” to many children at Second Baptist and in the neighborhood where she lived.
She is survived by her son Andre Thornton of Las Vegas, daughters Yvonne Selmon (Philip) of Glendale, AZ, Phyllis Seabrook-Young of Lithonia, GA (Donald Seabrook and Spencer Young, both deceased), Jacquelyn Brooks (Brian), and Pamela Grossmann (Thomas) both of Las Vegas, 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and well as a host other relatives and friends
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