Joanne Cribbs Thornton

Joanne Cribbs Thornton passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014 after a wonderful life of 80 years. She was an extraordinary wife to Ed Thornton for 32 years and an amazing mother to her 3 beautiful and loving daughters Kala, Terri and Alicia. Throughout her life, Jo maintained a sweet and kind spirit that won the trust and hearts of family, friends and all who met her. Known for her smile and ease of conversation, she was the pillar of strength and energy for her husband, daughters and large extended family.

Lovingly named Nana and Jojo by her grandchildren, Jo was born on February 5, 1934 to John Nolan Cribbs and Rachel Kaiser Cribbs in Dyersburg, Tennessee. She graduated from Dyersburg High School and then attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. In addition to raising 3 daughters, assisting her husband in business ventures and traveling extensively, she fully embraced, encompassed and promoted life, love and faith by quickly volunteering to help anyone in need of anything. Jo loved animals and filled her house with them throughout the years, the most recent and Joanne Cribbs Thornton passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014 after a wonderful life of 80 years. She was an extraordinary wife to Ed Thornton for 32 years and an amazing mother to her 3 beautiful and loving daughters Kala, Terri and Alicia. Throughout her life, Jo maintained a sweet and kind spirit that won the trust and hearts of family, friends and all who met her. Known for her smile and ease of conversation, she was the pillar of strength and energy for her husband, daughters and large extended family.

Lovingly named Nana and Jojo by her grandchildren, Jo was born on February 5, 1934 to John Nolan Cribbs and Rachel Kaiser Cribbs in Dyersburg, Tennessee. She graduated from Dyersburg High School and then attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. In addition to raising 3 daughters, assisting her husband in business ventures and traveling extensively, she fully embraced, encompassed and promoted life, love and faith by quickly volunteering to help anyone in need of anything. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Centennial Club. Jo loved animals and filled her house with them throughout the years, the most recent and most loved being her dog Bo, and her cat Percy.

Jo very much appreciated everyone who assisted her when she lived at Richland Place and Alive Hospice Residence. The love and tender attentiveness given by her primary caregiver, Susie Williams, has been extraordinary and enriched the last 3 years of Jo's life.

Surviving family members include her husband George Edgar Thornton and her two daughters Terri Welch Schmidt-Fellner (Blair) and Alicia Welch Davenport (David). She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter Kala Welch MacLeod. She leaves behind two stepchildren Deborah Thornton Stegall (David) and Wade Thornton (Currey), grandchildren Lauren MacLeod (Danny Bua, Jr.), Meredith MacLeod; Tee, Alex and Pierce Schmidt-Fellner; Hillary Stegall Gamble (Peter), Hagen Stegall Baker (Dan), Grace Stegall, and George Stegall (Brittany); and Macon Thornton James (Daniel); and 4 great granchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Thomas Cribbs.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 23, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00pm at the Cheek House, First Presbyterian Church with a memorial service held in Stanford Chapel at 2:00 p. m. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery

The pallbearers will be Tee Schmidt-Fellner, Alex Schmidt-Fellner, Pierce Schmidt-Fellner, Wade Thornton, Fred Fisher and Frank Chalfont.