Joan Burchfield Thomas, born December 17, 1933, died on December 22, 2025. Joan, the youngest daughter of Ed and Naomi Burchfield, began life in Knoxville, Tennessee and met there the love of her life, Dewey Thomas, in the fifth grade at Sequoyah Elementary School. Joan was a cheerleader and Dewey a basketball star at West High School. They married June 5, 1955 and lived most of their nearly 60 years together in Nashville, where Dewey practiced orthopedic surgery as they raised four daughters. By the time the second of Joan's nine grandchildren arrived, she was better known as "Honey."
Joan was active in many organizations, including the Nashville Medical Auxiliary, Fannie Battle, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Covenant School Board, Stephen Ministries, the Florence Crittenton Home, and Belle Meade Country Club. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, by her beloved husband, Dr. E. Dewey Thomas, and by her siblings, Rhea (James) Copeland and Sue (Ross) Bagwell.
Joan is survived by her daughters - Cindy (Pepper) Crutcher, Gwyn (Bill) Spencer, Patricia (John) Gilbert, and Dana (Stephen) Berry - and by her grandchildren - Bo (Nicole) Crutcher, Sarah Catherine (Michael) Morrow, Emily (Rob) Young, Caroline (Will) Lay, David (Carlie) Spencer, John Thomas Gilbert, Grace Gilbert, Ann Rees Berry, and Stephen Berry Jr.. Joan lived to know six great-grandchildren (so far) and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family extends special thanks to the caregivers at Avenues and Alive Hospice, whose faithfulness and compassion were deeply appreciated during Joan's recent illness.
Family graveside at Berry Highland Memorial 5315 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant School Capital Campaign, Covenant Presbyterian Church (33 Burton Hills Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215) or Alive Hospice (1718 Patterson St, Nashville, TN 37203).
