On May 15, 2017, at 10:00 p.m. Joanna C. Thompson, 57, of Damascus, MD, passed away peacefully from breast cancer while at Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, MD.

Joanna is survived by her loving husband of over 30 years, Gordon J. Thompson, and her two children, Christopher M. Varnon (fiancé Miranda) of Charleston, SC, and Charlie-Anne K. Thompson of Damascus, MD, and by her favorite sister Judi (husband, Corey) of Myrtle Beach, SC and their three children Celi (husband, Blake of Charlotte, NC) Rawley, and Sullivan, and her great aunt Patricia Askew of Ahoskie, NC.

Joanna is also survived by her father Richard Chandler of Myrtle Beach, sisters Jefri Chandler of Pawleys Island, SC, and Jeni Johnson of Georgetown, SC and several aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 

During high school, Joanna began working at the fast food chain Arby’s in Myrtle Beach, SC. Joanna turned the part-time job into an over 20 year career where she ended up as the managing partner of a franchise. In 1998, Joanna sold her interest in the franchise and relocated to Damascus, MD, with Gordon and children, when Gordon accepted a position with a federal law enforcement agency.  

While in Damascus, Joanna became involved in the community, and started an embroidery business. Joanna eventually began working at Lois P. Rockwell Elementary School where her previous career had prepared her for the, sometime hectic, elementary school environment.

Joanna was a most loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt. Joanna was hard-working, talented, and passionate about every activity she became involved in. She would go out of her way to help others and has left an indelible mark on the lives of so many people.

Friends will be received at Molesworth-Williams P.A. Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD on Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. A memorial service will follow immediately at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Shady Grove Medical Center, Aquilino Cancer Center at www.adventisthealthcare.com/locations/shady-grove-medical-center/giving/foundation.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.molesworthwilliams.com