Gladys Ethelene Smith Thornton, age 82, of Amelia, passed from this life on February 25, 2011. She is preceded in death by her husband, John W. Thornton, and is survived by her sons, James (Jay), of Amelia, Allan of Michigan, daughter, Carolyn Hoover of Falls Church, and her sister, Carolyn Yarborough of Charleston, S. C. , six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Born Gladys Ethelene Smith at home on her parents tobacco farm near Crewe, Virginia, Ethelene excelled in her studies and music from first grade through college. She graduated from Madison College in 1949 with majors in Music, French and Spanish. She taught school in Powhatan County for one year where she met her husband of 52 years. They moved to Amelia in 1956 and worked together to build a successful dairy farm and raise their children. Ethelene returned to teaching in 1966 at Amelia Academy where she taught until her retirement in 1992. She delighted many years of English and French students and enjoyed her trips to France to refresh her southern French accent! Once retired, she enjoyed participating in the many activities of the Amelia Garden Club and continued her life-long love of reading and music. One of her favorite activities was to sit down and play the piano for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as she had done from the time she was 6 years old. She also enjoyed watching the many birds flock to her flowers and looking for Indian artifacts on the farm. Although she moved to Brandermill Woods in Midlothian in 2002, her heart remained in Amelia with her family, their farm and her many friends and former students. Funeral services 1:00PM on Saturday March 5, 2011 at Amelia Baptist Church 9101 Amelia St. in Amelia with burial in Crewe Cemetery. Visiting on Friday from 6:00-8:30 PM at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to either Amelia Garden Club, Amelia Academy or APAW.