Jo Ann Thomas

Jo Ann passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024 in the Hospice Unit at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS.

Jo Ann Thomas was born in Winfield, Kansas on September 18, 1956 to Wayne and Pauline Horack Thomas.  Her life started on a farm south of Oxford, KS; moved with her family to Oxford in 1958.

She attended Oxford Schools through 6th grade; transferred to Wellington Special Education in the 7th grade, graduating from Wellington High School in 1975.

After graduation she worked part time at various jobs including Riverview Manor, Oxford, Wellington Hospital, Hardee’s on the turnpike, housekeeping at a motel in Wellington, and Volunteered at 1st Methodist Church in Wellington and the Wellington Senior Center.

She joined Futures Unlimited in Wellington in July, 1993.  She was accepted into the Activity Work Program in August, 1993.  After a year with Futures, she moved from the family home in Oxford to Wellington with Futures Unlimited’s assistance.

Jo Ann enjoyed walking 2 – 3 miles at least once and sometimes twice a day with her good friend, Jacob.  She also enjoyed attending movies, eating out, going to ball games, and the Wheat Festival. If someone asked her if she wanted to go someplace, she would almost always say yes before they even said where.  She had many good friends, in fact she even considered her case managers from Futures as her friends, which they were.  Jo Ann had many opportunities in her life thanks to Futures Unlimited, her family and her own hard work.  She loved and cared for her cat, Sybil.

She is preceded in death by her parents.  Her family includes her siblings: Nancy Storlien, Winfield; Kenny (Judy) Thomas, Oxford; Paul (Debbie) Thomas, Oklahoma City; Janet Thomas, St. Louis. Also her nieces and nephews: Dorene (Shannon) Delp, Oxford; Kitra Cooper, Manhattan; Kelly (Jimmie) Neises, Oxford; Keri Shimkus, Clayton, NC; Todd (Jami) Thomas, Wichita, Tony Thomas, Wichita; 13 great and 5 great great nieces and nephews.

To know Jo Ann was to love her.

Celebration of life services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the Oxford Funeral Service, 104 N Sumner, Oxford, KS. A memorial has been established with Futures Unlimited Inc. and may be left in the care of the funeral home.