Joanna Eloise Thomas

Joanna Elouise Thomas August 23, 1934-November 2, 2020 Ms. Joanna Thomas (86), Marietta, Georgia resident and daughter of Elouise Watkins Thomas and Harold Thomas of Miami, Florida crossed over into glory peacefully the morning of November 2, 2020. She is survived by her Cousin Mary Barbara Hanberry and her three nephews: David Edward Thomas (wife Julie Hindes Thomas and daughter Elisa Thomas), Daniel Robert Thomas (wife Dawna Shackelford Thomas, and children: Michael Caleb Thomas, Isabella Rose Thomas, Benjamin Edward Scott Thomas, Israel David Thomas, and Rebekah Grace Thomas) and Timothy Andrew Thomas. She was preceded in death by her brother David Lawrence Thomas (February 8,1939-August 23, 2000). Joanna was a much beloved aunt by her nephews and nieces-in-law and her great nephews and nieces. Early in life she served in secretarial and childcare positions in the church. She was meticulous in note keeping and joyful in caregiving. She was a welcome participant and gracious guest at family events and celebrations. Her greatest joys on earth were her loving family, for whom she always had a warm hug and ready infectious laugh. She had a sweet childlike wonder for beautiful things and loved her dogs and bird watching. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ as her savior and redeemer. Her favorite hymn was “This world is not my home…I’m only passing through.” And her second favorite song was “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” as it always reminded her of her home church in Shenadoah Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. Both songs contain lyrics that give her family comfort at her parting and remind them that she is no longer in pain or fear and she has gone on to meet the Lord where her true treasures are “laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” Although she was “weak and poor” she would be greeted warmly by her Savior as she “could not feel at home in this world anymore.”