Joann Thompson Mitchell

JoAnn Mary Thompson Mitchell, affectionately known as JoAnn by those who knew and loved her, embarked on her final journey on August 16, 2024. Her life began in the vibrant city of New Orleans, LA, on June 21, 1959, where she was embraced by the rich cultural tapestry that would shape her spirited and joyful existence. JoAnn's presence was a beacon of light in the world, her loving nature and faith-filled spirit leaving an indelible mark on those she encountered. JoAnn's life was a testament to the power of kindness. Her journey took her from the halls of Joseph S. Clark High School to the classrooms of Delgado Community College, where she gained the knowledge and skills that would serve her throughout her life. But more than the accolades and achievements, it was JoAnn's unwavering kindness that defined her. Like a pebble cast into a pond, her simple acts of love created ripples that reached far beyond her immediate circle, touching the lives of many. Her zest for life was evident in her passions. A lover of cinema, JoAnn, found joy and escapism in the adventures of western films, where the triumph of good over evil echoed her own optimism. Music was her refuge, a symphony that resonated with the melody of her soul. JoAnn is a hardcore New Orleans Saints fan. For every game she was dedicatedly watching and cheering them to victory. JoAnn's cherished parakeets, Tweety and Sweetie, were companions who brought her daily doses of happiness and laughter, their songs harmonizing with her own tune of life. As Nelson Mandela once said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." This quote encapsulates JoAnn's approach to life, as she navigated its peaks and valleys with an unwavering conviction that faith could move mountains. Her love was a fortress, her kindness the bricks that built it, and her faith the light that shone from its windows, guiding the way for others.

JoAnn's legacy is lovingly carried forward by her devoted husband, Larry Tureaud. She is also the cherished sister of Carol Lodree Slater, Adeline Thompson, and brother Eddie Thompson, whose bonds were forged in love and fortified through time. JoAnn's warmth will forever be felt by her cousins Joseph, Casandra, and Carmalita Donaldson, as well as by her adoring nieces, nephews, grandniece, and grandnephew. Though JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Doris Bordenave Lodree Thompson and Eddie Alvin Thompson, and her brother Darrell Anthony Lodree, the love they shared continues to echo in the hearts of those still walking the paths she once did.

JoAnn's departure from San Antonio, TX, was not a conclusion but a transformation—a metamorphosis from the seen to the unseen, from the temporal to the eternal. Her spirit, a symphony of love and kindness, continues to inspire and uplift us. The lessons she imparted, through her actions more than her words, remind us to hold fast to love, to practice kindness, and to keep faith at the forefront of our lives. Let us honor JoAnn by emulating her example, by showing kindness to strangers, by nurturing the bonds of family and friendship, and by facing life's challenges with the faith that everything is possible. JoAnn's story may have reached its final page, but her narrative continues in each life she touched, in every act of kindness inspired by her memory, and in the love that never fades. JoAnn Mary Thompson Mitchell's life was a joyous melody, a dance of grace and strength, and a triumph of the human spirit. As we reflect on her journey, let us carry forward her refrain of compassion and hope, for in doing so, we keep the essence of JoAnn alive within us, forever.