Joann Thomas – A Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and MeMaw

JoAnn was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who deeply loved her family and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. Her vibrant smile will remain unforgettable to those she touched throughout their lives.

Allan and Joann Thomas were found guilty of conspiring, four counts each of mail fraud and wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and money laundering – they are accused of defrauding drainage district taxpayers out of $468,165.

Early Life and Education

Joann was a deeply loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her strength came from her deep faith in God and accepting His divine will for her life. She was an active member of Cure d’Ars Catholic Church as well as Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary.

She was an endearing southern lady with a charming smile and gracious demeanor that won the hearts of everyone she encountered. Family was her greatest pride and joy – especially her grandchildren, who brought a sparkle of light into every corner of her face every Christmas morning and would often accompany her on road trips with them.

Joann Thomas will be remembered by her adoring husband Douglas Nopar of Winona; daughters Tammy Stone and Antoinette Thomas; sons Reginald Bryan and Richard Hudson; sister Sheila Bethel as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Additionally, Joann was blessed with a wonderful extended family as well as numerous friends.

Professional Career

JoAnn Thomas was an devoted wife, mother, grandmother and MeMaw who enjoyed travel, golfing and tennis as hobbies as well as attending outdoor summer concerts and tending her perennial garden in her spare time. She enjoyed cooking delicious meals for family gatherings as much as spending quality time together.

She enjoyed an impressive career at Hewlett-Packard that spanned over 17 years in Marketing, Consulting and Sales as well as College Career Development. Her strengths included having an eye for talent as well as helping clients meet their goals while showcasing their abilities.

In 2022, she was found guilty of 15 federal felonies including conspiracy; four counts each of mail fraud and wire fraud; two counts of aggravated identity theft; and four counts of money laundering. She currently works as a solicitor at Lanyon Bowdler and lives in Shropshire.

Achievement and Honors

Joann was an outstanding wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who always made time for others. She enjoyed baking her family’s favorite pies at home, traveling the coast for vacation and spending time at Cracker Barrel with friends – with Rocky as an important member of her life as well.

She graduated as Salutatorian of her class from Evansville High School before enrolling at St. Olaf college to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her career took her all across the United States – Fairview Hospital as well as military bases were just two stops on her travels!

Thomas and Allan have been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft; their restitution hearing has been set for February 3. Their attorney claims health issues prevented both of them from attending court Jan. 6.

Personal Life

Joann enjoyed playing piano at weddings and funerals, church events and religious gatherings, in her free time. Additionally, Joann was known for her exceptional cooking talents – she could create memorable meals such as fried chicken, prime rib and gooseberry cobbler that became firm favorites among her guests.

According to a Department of Justice release, Allan and Joann Thomas took advantage of a shell contracting company set up for them by Allan to fraudulently bill taxpayers at King County drainage district for more than six years, using false billing to defraud tax dollars from them. Both were charged with conspiracy, mail and wire fraud as well as aggravated identity theft before being sentenced in May.

Their restitution hearing has been set for early March. Jo Anne, despite her health challenges, remained a loving wife and mother to Allan as well as being grandmother to Reagan and Michael. Additionally, she held dear her role of godmother for Danasia Givner as well as having many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family who loved her deeply.

Net Worth

JoAnn Thomas was an incredible wife, mother and grandmother who loved hosting Sunday dinner for her family and devouring chocolate cream pie! In addition, she enjoyed shopping, playing scrabble with friends and visiting the beach. In her later years she became passionately dedicated Pastor’s wife devoted to serving both church and community in many capacities.

The Enumclaw Courier-Herald reported in May that Allan and Joann Thomas, elected commissioners of a drainage district in Enumclaw County, Washington stole $468,000 in taxpayer funds between 2012 and 2019. They were later charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, two counts of identity theft aggravated identity theft as well as money laundering.

Terrence Kellogg, Joann’s defense attorney, argued that any additional jail time requested by the prosecution was irrelevant given her long track record of good behavior and possession of over 1,024 units of Mallinckrodt Plc stock based on Form 4 filings as of 28 October 2022.