Jo Anna Vernon

Mrs. Jo Anna Thomas Vernon, 79, of Mount Airy, passed away early Wednesday morning, May 1, 2019, at Twelve Oaks Assisted Living Facility.  Mrs. Vernon was born May 14, 1939, in Surry County, one of ten children born to the late John Samuel and Annie Mathis Thomas.  Jo retired from Henredon Furniture after many years of service.  She is survived by a daughter, Teresa Smith of Mount Airy; her grandchildren, Wayne Puckett, Shane Smith, and Lauren Smith and her fiancé, Devin Hester, all of Mount Airy, and Ashley and Austin Rierson of Stokesdale; her great-grandchildren, Lily Puckett, Evan Gwyn, Mariam Gwyn, Reese Smith, Hailey Smith, and Elliott Rierson; five sisters and two brothers-in-law, Virginia and Carl Norman, Glenda Pike, and Betty Thomas, all of Mount Airy, Tina and Joe Wright of Westfield, and Pansy Cromer of Pilot Mountain; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Bobby and Alice Thomas and Jerry and Annie Thomas, all of Mount Airy, and Peggy Thomas of Stuart, VA; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Vernon was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Lee Vernon; a great-grandson, Vincent Puckett; a sister, Nellie Thomas; and a brother, Roy Weldon Thomas.  The funeral service will be held Friday, May 3, 2019, at 4:00 PM at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, with Dr. Chris Benfield officiating.  Burial will follow in the New Venture Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Friday from 3:00 until 4:00 PM at the church.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.