Thomas, Barbara J. 1927-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

With love and heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Barbara “JoAn” Thomas on Dec. 28, 2025. JoAn was born Dec. 20, 1927, in Sedalia, Missouri, to William Alva and Florence Crowder.

She was raised on the Crowder farm in Sweet Springs, Missouri, growing up during the Depression. It was there that she graduated from high school and met the love of her life, Russell Thomas. They married in 1947 and moved to San Diego, California, where Russell was stationed as a Marine. Following his service in Korea, the couple returned to Missouri, making their home in Independence. There Joan worked at the downtown drug store and sweet shop often serving President Harry S. Truman a soda when he would stop in on one of his frequent strolls.

Russell and Joan were nationally recognized square dancers winning many events throughout the Midwest. Besides dancing, they were avid sports fans holding season tickets to the Chiefs, Royals and Missouri Tigers. They also enjoyed many trips and wintered in Arizona where her brother, Bill Crowder, and his family resided. They still always found time to be the fabulous Aunt Jo and Uncle Russ!

When her beloved husband died in 1994, Joan’s positive spirit allowed her to reconstruct her life with old and new friends in Independence. She continued wintering in Arizona and remained a faithful sports fan. There was always bingo and the occasional trip to the casino to satisfy her competitive spirit and she remained the “doting Aunt Jo” to her numerous nieces, nephews and their offspring that followed, participating in their lives and events as much as possible.

In 2022 she moved out of the family home in Independence to Tiffany Springs Senior Living where she resided until her death, making new friends with her bubbly spirit and big smile. She continued her enjoyment of her family to the end, celebrating her 98th birthday with a family gathering as Cascones Italian Restaurant a few days before her passing.

She will be missed by all that loved her including her nephew and niece, John Thomas (Gloria), St. Joseph, who gained much pleasure and wisdom from her while helping care for her in her later years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, William and Victor Crowder.

Besides John and Gloria Thomas, she is survived by sister-in-law, Connie Crowder Clemens, Marshall, Missouri, and the aforementioned Thomas Crowder family spread throughout the United States whose lives she has touched so deeply. We will miss your ever present positive message, your smile and your hugs.

The family is planning a private memorial service at a later date and will honor Joan’s request to have her and Russell’s ashes spread together at the location where they met in Sweet Springs.

Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.

Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.