JoAnn Welch Thomas, 75, of Bryson City passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Swain County Hospital.

She was born October 8, 1936 to the late Roy F. and Lillian Laney Welch. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Robert “Joe” Thomas.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Elizabeth Thomas of Bryson City and a very special great nephew, Michael Leatherwood; two sisters, Nina W. Brown and Carolyn W. Brintnall; one brother, Charles Welch; five nieces; six nephews; eight great nieces; eight great nephews; one great great niece; three great great nephews; and many cousins and friends.

JoAnn graduated from Swain County High School. She and her husband Joe owned a Sealtest Milk distributorship for 33 years in Swain and Macon Counties in NC and counties in northern Georgia.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2012 in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City. Rev. Earl Holden will officiate. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. Friday, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or to a charity of your choice.

Condolences may also be expressed at 510 Arlington Ave or P.O. Box 277, Bryson City, NC 28713 or online at www.crispfuneralhome.org.