Joan (Carter) Thomas

On Monday, May 22nd, Joan Carter Thomas, 90, of Spanish Fork, left behind her earthly cares. 

Joan was born March 8, 1933, in Santaquin, Utah, to Clarence Heber and Margaret Garfield Carter. She married the love of her life, Ray Thomas, on July 18, 1950. They were later sealed in the Provo Temple. 

Joan graduated from Spanish Fork High School and worked at the Del Monte Cannery early on. She later worked at the Lake Shore School, Dottie’s, and the Thread Shed, but her greatest pleasure was being a homemaker, wife, and mom. Joan was a member of the LDS church and served diligently in many areas of leadership including several Relief Society and Primary presidencies. She was also a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Joan was a creative soul. Her incredible oil paintings decorate the walls of her home—as well as those of her children and grandchildren. She loved designing clothing for her girls and then creating a pattern and sewing her designs with intricate detail and care. Her daughters always had one-of-a kind outfits—and so did their dolls. She was an avid bowler with many trophies for team and individual events, and she adored playing cards and games with family and friends. A favorite Saturday tradition was going to lunch and shopping with her girls—and whoever else wanted to join in. Joan and Ray loved to go dancing and traveling together, and together they attended many ball games, meets, dance recitals, concerts, and plays to support both children and grandchildren. Their annual Snowbird vacation tradition was a family favorite. Their pride and joy was their family. 

Joan is survived by her daughters, Laurel (Mark) Koyle, Kristy Thomas, and Karen (Doug) Brown; nine grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Thomas; her parents; her 6 siblings; her grandson, Reggie Jensen, and her great-great grandson, Dutton Dastrup.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Spanish Fork 6th Ward, 585 North Main, Spanish Fork, Utah. Family and friends may call Friday from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. 

For those unable to join us in person, services will be streamed live beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26, 2023 at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@wheelermortuary4570/streams

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