Joann Hendrix Hendrix Thomas

Joann Hendrix Thomas, 76, passed away on October 10, 2011, at Hospice Savannah, Inc. She was born in Statesboro, GA., on January 16, 1935, and moved to Savannah in 1947. She was a homemaker, a devoted wife and the loving mother of eight children. After the passing of her husband in 1980, she received her cosmetology license in 1987 and her many clients became some of her dearest lifelong friends. Her world centered around her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to host family gatherings and enjoyed gardening and spending time with her beloved Jack Russell dogs. She will be forever missed by all who knew and loved her. She is preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Rodney L. Thomas, Sr.; her parents, John Hendrix and Gladys Scarboro Hendrix; brother, Jake Hendrix; youngest son, Mark Thomas; and son-in-law, Frank Nielubowicz. She is survived by a large family, including four sons and three daughters; Rodney L. Thomas, Jr., Russell Thomas and daughter-in-law Anna Marie Thomas; Mitchell Thomas and daughter-in-law Beth Thomas; Rebecca Stroud and son-in-law Ted Stroud; and Yvonne Thomas of Savannah, GA.; John Thomas and life partner Darrell Pearce of Atlanta, GA.; and Virginia Nielubowicz of Sarasota, FL. She also leaves her nine grandchildren; Heath Tillman, Russell Thomas, Jr., Drew and Chad Nielubowicz, Matthew Stroud, Mindy Barrett, Logan Thomas, Ryan Thomas and Austin Thomas, eight great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Kelly Ann Erola, Dr. Deborah Kemp, and all the staff at Hospice Savannah who cared for their mother with sincere love and compassion, and also to Dr. Robert Weeks, Dr. Lester Robertson, Dr. James Burke and all of the staff at their offices. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6 – 8 pm at Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Dr. Savannah, GA. A Memorial Service will be held at the same location on Wednesday at 1:30 pm with Rev. Derward Poole officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwich Cemetery in Savannah. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Hospice Savannah, Inc. P.O.Box 13190, Savannah. GA. 31416