Joan Presnell Thomas, age 84, left her earthly home on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024. Joan was a daughter of the late Roy and Tessie Presnell and grew up in the Booneford area of Yancey County. In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Lillian Presnell, and a sister, Kate Robinson Blalock, and brother-in-law, Ray Robinson.
After graduating from Micaville High School, she attended Warren Wilson College and graduated from Blanton Business School. Joan was a talented seamstress, avid gardener and wonderful cook. She was active in children’s Sunday School and Bible School. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends in long conversations and laughter. She was a member of Lily Branch Baptist Church.
She is survived by the love of her life, Berl Thomas, to whom she was married 64 years. She is also survived by her daughter, Valencia Proffitt and husband, Mike of Burnsville; son, Patrick Thomas and fiancée, Lisa Harrell of Burnsville; grandsons: Matthew Proffitt and wife, Tiffany of Mars Hill, Jason Proffitt of Asheville, Hayden Thomas of Asheville, and Landon Thomas of Burnsville; and great-grandson, Grey Thomas of Burnsville. She is also survived by three sisters and brothers-in-law: Glenna and Billy Buchanan of Burnsville, Julia and Jim Blevins of Burnsville, and Patsy and Larry Jenkins of Nashville, TN; brother and sister-in-law, Leland and Jean Presnell of Burnsville; many nieces and nephews; and special life-long friend, Sonya Gouge Brown of Lexington, KY.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4th in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. Dr. Rev. Keith Haverkamp will officiate. Burial will follow in the Will Young Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 1 p.m. prior to the services at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care WNC at 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
