Morning mom! First and foremost we miss you and your beautiful smile and sweet spirit beyond words. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to pick up my phone and call you to share something or ask for your motherly wisdom. I'm so glad that you were a quilter and passed along your craft. I love just sitting with my quilt wrapped around me or just nearby, because I know it was made with love by you for me. It's like a mom hug. We gathered last night in your honor. We attempted to recreate your famous green chicken and Tommy gave your biscuit making lessons to Rachel and Anthony. The room was filled with such sweet spirits, chatting, laughing and some tears. We missed those who couldn't make it. The most important thing you taught us was the love of God. You were always a great example and there to answer any questions we had and had some verses to share. Because of your teachings of the Bible we KNOW we will see everyone again. That's the only thing that makes your absence bearable. You were a wonderful mother and friend. You know we loved shocking you just for the look of disgust on your face followed by laughter. You always wore a beautiful smile and shared it will all. Your arms and heart were always ready to give and receive the most amazing love filled hugs. It was like being a little child all over again and moms hugs and kisses can fix anything. I will miss our shopping trips, laundry service and our fun times at the casino. I'm so glad God blessed us with our girls quilting weekend in Reno. I will never forget the love, laughter and your Christmas tree bear paw you tried to sneak past. Ty so much for showing me thru your actions how much a random act of kindness blesses the receiver and giver. I was blessed beyond measure to have you and proudly call you my mom. You completed the task God requested of you, like a great soldier who finally gets to go home. We love you and miss you, until we hug again. ❤

Even though we were not able to be there this weekend, know that your Framily from OR is their with you all in spirit.  Our thoughts, prayers and love are with all of you today!  

Joanne, Mom Thomas, Nana, we knew you by these names and more.  Your kindness, your Love, your Laughter and so much more. 
 You will be missed each and every day by all who knew and loved you but, we know that we will see you again.  We grieve but hold onto the memories we have hidden in our hearts which will forever be treasured.

May the God of Peace and Comfort be with you all today, tomorrow and always.  

With all our Love....

My memories are sketchy since an accident I was in back in 86. I do remember a vacation my family had when I was a kid to her house in So Cal and a little mini bike incident with a boulder, and I remember visits to Cotton wood. No matter where we visited it was always a good time.
I went into the Navy and Gram passed away and after that I lost all track of the family.
Thanks to Facebook I started getting in touch with family members again and thanks to cousin Chrissy we had a small family reunion and I was able to see her again and of course all of us getting older she was the same Aunt Joann that I do remember. I live in Pennsylvania so trips to Ca. aren't that often but I am glad I got to see her 1 more time.
Kathy, Sherry, Karen, Tommy, Ali and ALL of the rest of your families I am so sorry for your loss and I miss you all.
Aunt Joann may you Rest In Peace.

Nehemiah 8: 10        Do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Aunt Joanne is truly one of  the kindest persons I’ve ever known and I’m  blessed and honored  to call her my Aunt.  I love the sound of her giggle and the enduring patience and love she exuded with the plethora of kids running around her home that were in addition to her own children.  Some of the  best memories of my childhood were of swimming and watching the fireworks from Disneyland while sitting on the pool slide at her home in OC.  I loved your home in Cottonwood, the adorable garden and the yummy treats.  
Jesus is rejoicing because you are truly home. God Bless, until we see each other again.  C-

I will always remember Aunt Joann. I will remember the summers SoCal staying with the Thomas family, swimming in the pool, eating great meals especially a Mexican dinner she knew how to cook. We always went to DisneyLand. Last time I saw her was a gathering to meet Claire’s honey Leo, such a great time. I will always hold all the memories in my heart.
May you Rest In Peace Love You Aunt Joann

So last year I made a New Years resolution to reach out to my family more. So I started calling nana at least twice a week and it was the best choice I made so much so that i wish I would of done it sooner. Nana was the kindest purest woman I know with some dang good recipes! 

Some fun memories from when we would visit as children are when we would sleep in the sewing room with all the cousins, bathe in 2 inches of water and eat fresh cherries in the back yard from her house in cottonwood. 

To anyone she made a quilt for just remember to look at the corner she is there with all of us. 

I can not wait to see you again someday 
Love you more Nana 

My beautiful mom,

It has been 29 days since you left this place and headed to your true home.  I miss you so much already and can’t believe our time together on this earth is over.

Sharing just one or two memories about you are impossible for me, for I have a lifetime of wonderful memories, each one more special than the other.  We were all aware of your unconditional love.  You were the most selfless person I know, always putting your family and others first.  I know how fortunate I was to have such an amazing example of motherhood, of faith, and friendship.  Thank you for showing my children how to live an authentic life.  You were more than just my mother; you were a best friend that I will miss everyday for the rest of my earthy life.

Life must continue without you we know, but we will see one another again.  

I have been Blessed to have had the privilege to call Joanne not only my sister but she was a mother to me. She is the definition of not only being  a giving and loving  Sister/Mother but a true Christian in every sense of the word.

My memory that has always remained in my heart as a child, is because of her there were always presents galore under the Christmas Tree.  One present in particular was a pair of black patent leather shoes with a black and white polkadot bow which I was allowed to unwrap and dance around the house, then rewrap  them and put them back under the tree many times before Christmas Day.
She was  a great teacher from cooking to sewing to gardening and being a loving listener.  Being the wonderful Christian she was, she was always willing to share the Word Of God with you 

I will forever remember her laugh and smile that brightened the day for everyone because she loved everyone.  

I Love and will forever miss you my Sister/Mom



There are so many things I could say about my mom. She was one of the kindest and giving persons I have had the pleasure to know in my lifetime.  She was not just a mother to me but one of my best friends. I have so many memories that it is hard to choose one to share. For those of us that were lucky enough to have her in our lives we knew we could always count on her to be there no matter what she was doing. It could be a phone call to talk through a challenge you were having at work, motherly advice or in my case help with cooking!  Whenever we would go over to see mom, she would make sure she had your favorite dish made with lots of love. 
One of the most special times we had was a little over a month ago. Mom, Kathy, Karen and I got together and had a quilting weekend. It was an absolutely wonderful time. We had all our machines set up and sat around the table and talked, laughed and sewed. I was the last of her daughters to take up quilting and the day we all went to the store to buy me a sewing machine mom sat back and said “My job here is done”. 
I know for me a day will not go by that I will not want to pick up the phone and call her and hear her sweet voice.  
 


As a young child, the only thing I seemed to really appreciate about my unorthodox upbringing was all the time I got to spend with my Nana.  Cassidy and I had the luxury of having her tend to every one of our needs.  For those that know my mom (Karen), you will know that the infamous "coke and cookies for breakfast" story lives on forever. 

Just a few months before her passing, my mother and I had the opportunity to go up and spend a weekend with her.  I find it oddly serendipitous now that I spent a good portion of one of our mornings taking pictures of my beautiful and sweet grandmother making biscuits for us, if only I knew it was going to be the last time. Her presence was special and the impact she made on me is nothing short of profound. Nana taught me what it meant to truly be love. 

Her legacy will live on not only through all of the people that she served during her fruitful journey here, but by the love that she instilled in each and every one of us by doing so.  My grandma was a true servant of the Lord and if I can even be half the person she was one day then I will be proud. 




I have so many fond memories of my Nana that it’s hard to pick a select few to put here! From making lap quilts together to her showing me how to make the best cheesy potatoes, I truly cherished every moment we spent together. She was a wonder of a woman in every way and I feel lucky that we got to spend so much time together. 

One of my favorites was ten years ago or so, on a hot summer day. We went grocery shopping so she could make a world famous meal for our family (like she always did when visiting) and at the last moment she snuck two pears into the cart. We sat in the parking lot and ate pears together and talked for an hour at least, about everything we could think of. In the first days after her passing all I could think of was us eating pears together in the grocery store parking lot. What I wouldn’t give for another perfect summer day with her! 

I have many fond memories of my Aunt Joanne.  I loved her excellent hugs, her great smile, her tasty cooking, her laugh and her sense of humor.  

When I was growing up, Aunt Joanne graciously opened her home to my family during our vacations in SoCal.  We would spend time with my cousins, Kathy, Sherri, Karen and Tommy swimming in their pool.  Also, Kathy peeling my sunburnt skin and finding ways to stay out of trouble.

The last time I was surprised to see my Aunt Joanne and Aunt Josie, when  Cathy and her hubby Gary, brought them to meet Leo, my Beloved.  It was the best surprise!!!

I will cherish all the great times  and memories.

Rest In Peace, Aunt Joanne. Until we see each other again...









OBITUARY

Leila Joanne Thomas

October 25, 1934 – December 11, 2019

McDonald's Chapel & Redding Memorial Park

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