Stratford Rehabilitation Center

Mrs. Avicia Thorpe, 106 years old, grew up in Danville, Virginia and is the only survivor of 14 brothers and sisters. She graduated Valedictorian of Holbrook Street Presbyterian School. She enrolled in Bluefield State College where she graduated Salutatorian, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science. Mrs. Thorpe was a teacher at Langston High School in Danville, Virginia for 33 years. She was married to the late Reverend C. M. Thorpe on December 23, 1942.

Mrs. Thorpe has received numerous honors throughout her life. She received a Letter of Appreciation from the White House for her original poems sent to President Harry S. Truman. Mrs. Thorpe was named Teacher of the Year at Langston High School. In 1982, she received the NAACP Citizen of the Year award and was listed in the American Biographical Institute – Personalities of the South. Mrs. Thorpe is still a member of a social sorority and received an honor this year for 75 years of service. She is the only person in this district to receive this award.

Mrs. Thorpe has lived through many wars and the Great Depression. She has traveled to all six continents. A woman from the University of Virginia doing a study on the city of Danville met and interviewed Ms. Thorpe. She wrote a biography on the story of Mrs. Thorpe’s life, which is now published in the Danville Public Library, Averett Library and Danville Community College Library.

In 2008, for her 100th birthday celebration, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution for Mrs. Thorpe to express their appreciation of her many accomplishments.

Mrs. Avicia Thorpe is a resident at Stratford Rehabilitation Center in Danville where she has resided since April 2013.

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