JoAnn Nelson Thompson
July 4, 1933 – August 5, 2025

Some legends are made; others are born. One such legend was born in Houston, Texas, on July 4, 1933. JoAnn Nelson Thompson was resilient, strong, and independent—just as her birthday would suggest.

JoAnn grew up alongside her sister, Betty Jean, at Buckner's Orphan Home in Dallas. Shortly after leaving Buckner's, she married Milford Leytane Thompson on July 24, 1953. Together, they moved throughout North Texas as Milford served as a Methodist minister before settling in northeast Dallas to raise their family.

JoAnn and Milford had four joyful and outspoken children: Ann Jeanette, Cheryl Lynn, David Milford, and Steven Mark. A proud and hard-working woman with a wicked sense of humor, JoAnn spent over 49 years with the telephone company—starting with Southwestern Bell in 1967 and retiring from AT&T 1999.  A year later, she decided retirement was not for her and returned to AT&T, retiring again in 2017.

She loved life. She loved to laugh. She loved her friends and cherished her family. JoAnn was generous in spirit, fiercely loyal, and the very definition of a tough Texas woman. She made the best apple cake in the state, and she will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

JoAnn is survived by her daughter Cheryl Davenport; granddaughter Amanda Davenport (Joe); great-granddaughters Ann and Cora; her treasured dog Mila; and many beloved friends and extended family.  We can all honor her memory every time we eat a scoop of Blue Bell.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m., at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home in Denton, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in honor of JoAnn to the Texas Flood Relief Fund or a charity of your choice.