Tressie Bartel Thornton
Tressie Bartel Thornton
August 20, 1932 - December 18, 2025
Tressie Bartel Thornton, 93, of Floyd passed away peacefully in her home that she loved so much on December 18th, 2025.
Tress, the name many knew her by, is a lifelong resident of Floyd growing up just down from her home. Her parents, Lawrence and Laura Bartel, her sister Freeda Sowers (Sowers, Noah) her twin sister Essie Long (Long, Marion “Doc” Dillon), all deceased, were raised in a loving family in harder times. They all knew what hard work was and often “working beans all day long” but they were also taught love and caring and compassion. The care she and her family provided for her mother in her declining years, and the love given to Essie’s daughter-in-law, Bett, was something seldom heard of today.
Tressie worked at the garment factory Don-Kinney and was also the greeting face at Floyd County Clinic with Dr. Marshall along with Bett for many years and was a lifelong member of Stonewall United Methodist Church.
Tress was an avid reader, but her passion was outdoors and her yard and gardens, she enjoyed being outside more than anything, cutting grass, weed eating. trimming, planting, picking up any misplaced sticks or leaves, whatever the job, she did it with a smile on her face.
Tressie loved to laugh and cut up, she was the “fun aunt” that her nieces and nephews loved very much, that same love and laughter came from those nieces and nephews kids as the years went by.
Her family meant everything to her and to her friends were family. Her love had no boundaries, no rules, no favorites, but most importantly, no limits.
Services will be Saturday December 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Gardner Funeral Home with Pastor Darren Landon and Pastor Jerry Hylton officiating. Interment will follow in Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday December 20, 2025 from 12 noon until 2 pm. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Stonewall United Methodist Church 4085 Floyd Hwy N, Floyd, VA 24091 or the Alzheimer’s Association.
