Joanne Vineyard Thrift

JoAnne Vineyard (Wells) Thrift age 75 of Knoxville, died peacefully from complications of COVID at Parkwest Medical Center on Friday, February 25, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents Mildred (Ledford) and Hugh Vineyard, Brother, Hugh (Sonny) T. Vineyard, Jr. Although a Knoxville native, JoAnne grew up in Baltimore, MD where she graduated from Catonsville High School in 1966. She and her family moved to Knoxville in 1967. After working several jobs in Knoxville, she began a career as a cosmetologist, moving on to serving as Director of Education at the Tennessee School of Beauty where she trained cosmetology students for many years. She was then hired as a Sales Rep for Wella Hair Products which she sold to beauty salons throughout Tennessee. Later she worked at Belk Department Store as a Skin Care Specialist for the plant based Origins skin care line. In 1998, JoAnne married the love of her life Edward Allen Thrift. They were married for 23 wonderful years and enjoyed traveling together. For over 25 years, she was a devout member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden where she also sang in the choir while Ed also was part of the audio-visual and lighting team for the choir. She served as the Treasurer of the Carlton Manor Townhomes Board of Directors which is where they lived. Always a huge fan of the University of Tennessee football teams and Peyton Manning, she also loved music and was a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley. JoAnne is survived by her loving husband, Ed Thrift; her precious daughter Robin Bingham and daughter Erin Thrift, son Michael Wells. Grandchildren; Zach and Alex. Great grandson, Declan. Brothers; Bobby (Dixie) Vineyard and Milton (Barbara) Vineyard. Several nieces and nephews. Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Central Baptist Church of Bearden Rev. Wendell Boertje, Rev. Wade Bibb and Rev. Mark Moreland officiating. Following the service there will be an opportunity to speak to the family. Family and friends will meet 12:15 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2022 at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery (John Sevier) for a 12:30 p.m. committal service. The family ask that memorials be made to the Music Program of Central Baptist Church of Bearden at 6300 Deane Hill Drive. Condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com