January 11, 2023, 91, Goldsboro –

Lois JoAnn Smith Darden Thompson lived an admirable life and passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center surrounded by her family. She was born in Randolph County to the late Wade and Etna Fuller Smith on December 20, 1931. JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Gray Darden and Edwin Spencer Thompson; and sisters, Louise Myers and Evelyn Craven.

A service to celebrate JoAnn’s life will be announced at a later date. Interment will be with her family at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Thomasville, NC.

JoAnn taught first grade for 12 years in Winston-Salem, Sanford, and Goldsboro after graduating from East Carolina University. She was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church. JoAnn served the community as a Competitive Swim Meet Director for many years at the Goldsboro Family Y. She was also an instrumental part of the swim teams, Seyboro Sharks and Goldsboro Y.

JoAnn’s passion was family. She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Hughes, and husband, Ron; son, Chuck Darden and significant other, Tonya Taylor; daughter-in-love, Michelle Jones; step-daughters, Shirley Lynch and Carol Worsley; grandchildren, Charlie Hughes, Cameron Hughes and husband, Michael Chenier, Chase Darden and wife, Taylor, Zachary Darden, and Gray Darden; great-grandchildren, Gray Chenier, Rhys Chenier, Hayes Chenier, Carson Darden, and Wyatt Darden.

Spending time with her dear friend, Ethel Ford gave JoAnn great joy. Ethel has been the best a friend could be.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Barbara Millard and Rhonda Smith, for their concern and patient help as well as the angels at 3HC.

Love never dies!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given in her memory to

Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.