Dr. Callie Madge Meadors Thornton

THORNTON, MEADORS, SLAUGHTER, DUNGY, HENCKE, VOIGHT, BLACK, TILLMAN, TIJERO, ADAMS, SEAWOOD

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 6/6/2011 at 10:58:03

Dr. Callie Madge Meadors Thornton went home to meet her Lord on Friday, May 27, 2011 from her home at Bickford Cottage, Iowa City. Funeral Services to celebrate Dr. Thornton’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 2, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City with Reverend Mel Schlachter officiating. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Wednesday at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The United Negro College Fund or to Iowa City Hospice.
Born on November 20, 1918, in Summerfield, LA, she was the sixth of twelve children born to Vata B. Slaughter Meadors and Gordon Welcome Meadors. Following family tradition, from early childhood, she was introduced to music, oratorical contests, church involvement and the importance of seeking education. Because there was no high school for African American students in the town of Junction City, Arkansas where the family lived, she was sent to boarding school several communities away from home. After high school graduation she enrolled in Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA., where she majored in elementary education, with a goal of teaching young children. While at Southern, she met the love of her life, Edgar Tomason Thornton, at a fraternity dance. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree, they married on June 14, 1941 in Cleveland, OH, while he attended seminary at Oberlin College. At his death in 2006, the Drs. Thornton had been married for 65 years. Together the couple taught in racially segregated public schools in Louisiana, Virginia and later integrated schools in Illinois. She served by his side as he pastored churches in Ohio, Virginia, Kansas and Illinois.
Eager to pursue graduate education, and unable to enter racially restricted all-white universities in the South where she lived, Dr. Thornton pursued graduate work during the summers; first at Columbia University, New York in Elementary Education, and later at Central Seminary in Kansas City, KS, where she earned a Masters degree in Religious Education. She continued to pursue further education part-time and in 1980, at the age of 62 years, Dr. Thornton earned a Doctorate in Education from the University of Sarasota, now Argosy University. For 36 years, until her retirement, she was Teacher Librarian at Mary Mapes Dodge School, Chicago, IL, while also directing the Providence Baptist Church Children’s Choir.
In 1997, after retiring and moving to Iowa City, the Thorntons accepted an interim church position in Anchorage, AK. Upon returning to Iowa City in 1999, they became members of First Baptist Church. She also frequently attended Trinity Episcopal Church and Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church. At the time of her death, she was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Dr. Thornton possessed a remarkable memory for verse, song and storytelling. She had an amazing ability to remember full verses of Longfellow, Whitman and other poets, as well as verses of scripture and hymns. One of her greatest gifts was in encouraging and motivating others to pursue education and sharing her religious faith. She had open arms for everyone, with a prayer for all. Always full of humor, one of her favorite riddles to ask of visitors was: “Adam and Eve and Hug Me Tight went to New York to see a fight. When Adam and Eve came back, who was left to see the fight? The visitor was required to answer, “Hug Me Tight!” This would prompt hugs.
Dr. Thornton is survived by two daughters and a son, Dr. Madgetta T. Dungy (Dr. Claibourne) of Iowa City, Jeannye T. Hencke (Paul) of Lanham, Maryland and Edgar T. Thornton III (Deborah) of Iowa City; thirteen grandchildren: Dr. Kathryn Dungy (Tim Voight) of Burlington, VT, Camille Dungy (Ray Black) of Oakland, CA, Matthew Hencke (Elizabeth) of New York City, NY, Maximillian Hencke of Lanham, MD, Meredith Thornton and Edgar Thornton IV of Iowa City, Thomas Hencke (June) of Petersburg, WV, John Hencke (Janice) of Blacksburg, VA, Christopher Hencke of Alexandria, VA; Mary H. Tillman (Michael) of Lost Creek, WV, Andrew Hencke (Zulema Tijero) of Gaithersburg, MD, Joseph Hencke (Jennifer) of Jacksonville, FL, James Hencke (Mariah) of Portland, OR; and fourteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Adams and Mrs. Martha Seawood; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, and spouse, Dr. Edgar Thornton, Dr. Thornton was preceded in death by three sisters and six brothers.