Doretta Thornton Jones, 73, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 12, 2022, at Brookestone Terrace in Woodruff, South Carolina. Born September 30, 1949, in Charles City, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Hugh T. Jones and Lucy W. Jones. She attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic School and graduated from Hampton (Institute) University with a degree in speech-language pathology. Doretta worked in the Charles City County Public Schools as a special education teacher, then worked as an assistant program manager at Central Virginia Training Center in Lynchburg, Virginia for 38 years. Doretta was known as funny, witty, and sassy. Her presence lit up a room. She was a dedicated, loving mother and valued her friends and coworkers. Doretta also enjoyed her hobbies. She was an avid gardener and houseplant collector, as her office was filled with her favorite plants. Cooking and baking allowed her to express her love to others. Sewing, smocking, and various craft projects with her friends brought her much joy. In her later years, she was most proud to be an honorary “Nana” to Blossom Yang and her siblings Calvin, Ryder, and Wesley. Leaving to cherish fond memories are her daughter, Dr. Doralyn Jones, devoted cousins Kirk Jones and William Jones, Jr., Brenda Crawley, Jeannette Walker, Richard “Ronnie” Walker, the dedicated Yang and Vang families, and a host of other beloved relatives and dear friends. A special thanks to Shirley Evans, Elrethra Wade, and Brookestone Terrace of Woodruff for their loving caregiving. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Doretta’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/donate) or other charitable organization of your choice. A message of condolence may be written to the family by visiting https://jwwoodwardfuneralhome.com/