Jo Anne Thurmond, age 92, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025, at Blue Ridge Assisted Living & Memory Care.

She was born Jo Anne Elsberry on November 13,1932, in Seney, GA, in Polk County of parents, Gertie Craton Elsberry and John Rayford Elsberry.

She’s preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Gorden Thurmond, her parents, her sisters Ruth Daniel and Glenda Lawrence, and her brother Robert.

She and Ken were married in Dallas, GA, in 1947 and were married for 74 years until Ken’s passing. Jo Anne and Ken lived in Atlanta, Oakdale, Smyrna, Epworth and Blue Ridge, GA. She worked as a secretary for Insurance Company of America, Windsor Group and Woolco Regional Office. In her free time Jo Anne enjoyed crocheting.

Jo Anne is survived by her two sons, Kenneth Ronald Thurmond (Beverly) of Marietta, GA, and Roger Stephen Thurmond (Becky) of Epworth, GA; two grandsons, Michael and Brian (Lindsay) Thurmond; and two great-granddaughters, Brooke & Addy Thurmond.

Graveside services will be held at Dallas Memory Gardens in Dallas, GA, on Saturday, May 17, at 11 am.

Benson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Jo Anne Thurmond.