Mrs. Annette Pinkston Thorpe

Obituary For Mrs. Annette Pinkston Thorpe

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Annette Pinkston Thorpe.

Annette Earline Pinkston Thorpe was born May 17, 1920, to Dr. Greene Fort Pinkston and Bertha Penella Horne in Cordova, Tennessee. Annette was one of nine siblings raised in a close-knit family. She has shared many fond memories of life on the farm and in Memphis, where her father practiced medicine.

Annette graduated from Booker T. Washington High School then entered LeMoyne College in Memphis in 1938. She was a conscientious English major and was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA). After graduation, she earned a master’s degree in English from Atlanta University and went on to take a teaching position at Knoxville College. Subsequently, she was hired as an English instructor at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C. It was here that she met the charming Edwin Morris Thorpe who was also on the faculty. They were married in 1948 and enjoyed a lasting, loving relationship for 60 years. Later that year both were asked to join the faculty at Florida A&M College in Tallahassee, Florida. Annette and Edwin proudly raised four children, Elaine, Edwin Jr. (Sharon), Charles and Jean; five grandchildren, Jason Cox, Erin Thorpe Parish (Marcos), Edwin Thorpe III, Frank Barnes IV (De’Neesha), Jena Barnes Devine (William); four great-grandchildren, Ethan Parish, Ezra Parish, Westley Barnes, Callum Barnes.

During Annette’s distinguished forty-one year tenure at FAMU, she, along with three colleagues, developed FAMU's first journalism degree curriculum. Also under her leadership, an original literary magazine, “Black Phoenix”, was published by the English Literary Guild.

She found time to engage in a variety of community and civic organizations. She was an active Soror of the Delta Kappa Omega chapter of AKA, as well as a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc, and served tenures as chapter president and Southeastern Regional Director. She was also a member of the Tallahassee Chapter of the Drifter’s, Inc. Additionally, she was a member of St. Eugene Catholic Church and later, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where she served as a cantor and member of the choir.

Annette was an avid reader, tennis player, swimmer and gracious hostess. She enjoyed a wide variety of music, the arts, and performed in several productions with FAMU Essential Theater.

Annette and Edwin shared a lifelong passion for travel and were true world explorers. Together they explored many countries and journeyed to destinations across the globe, collecting memories and friendships along the way.

The children and grandchildren recall high expectations set by Annette and Edwin Sr, coupled with a deep nurturing experience, and character development. Summers and holidays spent with their grandparents have provided lasting memories of special times that they will always cherish.

Family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues enjoyed a warm and loving home where they were always welcome. She will be remembered for her intelligence, delightful inquisitive spirit, kindheartedness, beauty and grace.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our devoted caregivers who provided loving support to Annette in her later years. Their compassion and care were a blessing to her and our entire family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made to the LeMoyne Arts African American Tribute Garden, or the Florida A&M University Theater Arts Program.

Visitation will be at Strong & Jones Chapel on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The AKA Ivy Beyond the Wall Service will be at 4:15 p.m.

On behalf of the staff and management of Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc., we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Annette Pinkston Thorpe.