Jean McGinnis Thrift, age 76, died Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Mountain View Assisted Living in Hendersonville. She was born April 20, 1941 a daughter of Ernest McGinnis and Rena Putnam McGinnis. She was a former science teacher at Kings Mountain High before moving to administration for the school system first as Director of Exceptional Children then as Director of Testing. She was an adventurous person who was never afraid to travel to a new land, including trips to Japan, France and the Philippines. She really enjoyed cooking for family, and once won a blue ribbon from the county fair for homemade ketchup. Christmas was very special to her and she was known for her expansive collection of Santas. Jean also enjoyed singing and loved many types of music.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Thrift.

Jean is survived by her two sons; Todd Thrift and wife Sharon of Shelby and Bryan Thrift and wife Rebecca of Clayton. Three sisters; Deborah Rogers and husband Chris of Shelby, Pat Eskew of Shelby and Amelia Swink and one brother, Jerry McGinnis and wife Yazmin also of Shelby. Three granddaughters; Erica Blanton and husband Travis, Kristin Snellings and husband Andy, and Kendall Thrift as well as three great-grandchildren; Teagan Blanton, Cason Snellings and Brayton Snellings.

Memorial service will be held 3:00pm Sunday, February 11, 2018 in the chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Andrew Corley and Rev. Gervase Hitch officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the beginning of the service from 2 pm until 3 pm at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to: Least of These of the Carolina's, 469 Hospital Drive, Gastonia, NC 28054.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Thrift.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com