12/26/2025
Lynn Thornton Jett
Lynn Thornton (Thorn) Jett, 68, passed away unexpectedly on December 21, 2025, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel S. Jett and Martha Ruth (Garst) Jett, his sister, Nancy Schlereth and brother-in-law, Hans Schlereth. Thorn was born in Richmond, VA, and grew up in Stratford Hills. He graduated from Huguenot Academy in 1975. Following graduation, he attended Virginia Tech and earned a degree in Biology in 1979. In 1983, Thorn graduated from the VCU School of Dentistry. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in Bethesda, MD and Okinawa, Japan. He completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA, in 1990. Thorn proudly served his country aboard the aircraft carrier USS America, participating in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. After serving ten years in the Navy, Thorn went into private practice in Suffolk, VA, where he was a beloved and highly respected oral surgeon for 29 years until his retirement in 2021. Thorn and his wife, Sallie, moved to Powhatan in 2022, where they enjoyed family gatherings and reconnecting with old friends. Thorn was a man of great integrity, honor, and faith. He was deeply loved and respected by everyone he met. He was a member of Red Lane Baptist Church and loved working in the Firewood Ministry. He found satisfaction in cutting down a tree, splitting the wood, and building a roaring fire. Thorn was never happier than when he was in the woods, waiting patiently in his favorite hunting spot. Hunting was more than a hobby; it was where he enjoyed companionship with his sons and friends. He loved sharing stories of his hunting adventures and his favorite recipes for the game he harvested. Thorn and his wife also loved cheering on the Hokies and walking around campus, reminiscing about their college years. Another favorite pastime was spent in Nags Head, sitting under his Hokie umbrella, reading and enjoying the ocean breeze. He spent hours in the water with his grandchildren, helping them catch waves and observing sea life. He also cherished walking along the beach, searching for sea glass. Thorn is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sallie Ann Goodwyn Jett; his sons, Samuel (Christie) Jett and Kyle (Lauren) Jett; his grandchildren, Avery, Samuel, Christopher, Sloan, and Greer; and his brother, Shields (Leslie) Jett. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Bennett and Barden Funeral Home, 3215 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, VA 23139. Funeral services will be held at Red Lane Baptist Church, 2095 Red Lane Road, Powhatan, VA 23139 on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making contributions to Red Lane Baptist Church, 2095 Red Lane Road, Powhatan, VA 23139 or The Coalition of Powhatan Churches, P.O. Box 57, Powhatan, VA 23139.
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