Janie Elizabeth Barbour Isley Thorne

Janie Elizabeth Barbour Isley Thorne, 92, of Martinsville, VA passed away on August 20, 2024, at the Mulberry Creek Nursing and Rehab Center. Born August 9, 1932, in Stokesland, Pittsylvania County, VA., she was the second daughter of Leonard Addison Barbour and Josephine (Polly) Martin Barbour. She graduated from Schoolfield High School in Danville, VA. and later attended Patrick & Henry Community College in Martinsville, VA. She retired from the Martinsville Department of Social Services, Martinsville, VA. Starting before she retired, she began touring the country on bus tours. Continuing after retirement, she visited all 49 continental US states as well 11 Canadian Territories, often joking that she was enjoying seeing the land by spending her children’s inheritance. A lifelong avid reader, she was once banned from her school library ‘for reading too much’. Being inventive, or maybe just sneaky, she had a friend check out books for her, hence never missing the chance to read a good book. A loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and proud great-grandmother, it is hard to summarize a long life, well lived, in a few short lines. She was loved and will be remembered and missed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Reed Q. Isley of Collinsville, VA and Franklin R. Thorne of Gloucester, VA, as well as her sister Excie B. Carter. She is survived by sons, Stephen R. Isley of Martinsville, VA and David K. Isley (Lisa) of Collinsville, VA, grandsons, Kevin R. Isley (Tammie) of Ridgeway, VA and Jacob S. Isley of Martinsville, VA, great-grandson, Knox R. Isley and step great-granddaughters, Brooklyn and Brilyn Kenee, all of Ridgeway, VA. Per the wishes of the deceased, there will be no visitation and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Southside Survivor Response Center, P.O. Box 352, Martinsville, VA 24112; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, online or via 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences at www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com Collins Funeral Home is respectfully serving the family.