Mrs. JoAnn Thompson Montgomery

Winder Native, Elementary Teacher and Family Matriarch

JoAnn Montgomery, remembered for her beauty, her love for her family, and her passion for spending time at her log cabin in Lakemont, Georgia, died on December 19, 2014.

Born on Candler Street in Winder on February 8, 1923, JoAnn was the daughter of the late Herschel and Denta Smith of Winder. She graduated from Winder High School in 1939 and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia in 1942. She married George Thompson, Jr. in 1943. George died in 1960 as a result of an automobile accident. In 1967 JoAnn married Lewis H. Montgomery of Monroe who died in 1996.

JoAnn’s life focused on her work with children as a scout leader, kindergarten teacher at the First United Methodist Church and later as an elementary school teacher at both Winder Elementary and Monroe Primary School, where she was honored as Teacher of the Year.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winder and the Sunbury Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for over 69 years. Her favorite hobby was playing bridge with her friends. When JoAnn celebrated her 90th birthday in February 2013, her great-grandchildren described her as patriotic, smart, competitive, beautiful and loving. Her family was her treasure.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her brothers, George Smith of Winder and Dala Smith of Shreveport, Louisiana, as well as a grandson, George Thompson IV of Winder. She is survived by six children and their spouses, 13 devoted grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The children, all of whom are in Georgia, are Anne and Bob Pledger of Lakemont, Carol and Bob Franks of Rabun Gap, Chip and Shadie Thompson of Winder, Tommy and Connie Thompson of Lakemont, Dwain and Mary Montgomery of Cartersville, and Deedra and Buddy Leach of Monroe.

Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home in Winder on Sunday, December 21 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Winder at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 22. The burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in JoAnn’s memory to the First United Methodist Church of Winder (280 North Broad Street, Winder, GA 30680), the Lake Rabun Foundation (P.O. Box 114, Lakemont, GA 30552), or the Sunbury Chapter of the DAR (P.O. Box 664, Winder, GA 30680).

er the direction of Smith Memory Chapel, Winder, GA.