Joellen Whiteside Thomas, age 73, of Toccoa, traded her weakened earthly body for her glorious state in Heaven on November 20, 2025.

Joellen was born in Washington, DC in 1952 to James and Lola Whiteside. Moving with her family, Joellen experienced her early life in places including Maryland, California, New York, and Georgia. In her childhood years when her family was based out east, her and her siblings' summers were marked by extended visits with their grandparents in Augusta, Georgia. After beginning her high school years at Holy Family Catholic School in Glendale, California, she was asked to pursue her education in a more secular environment and finished high school at Eagle Rock High School near Glendale, California.

Family members include her husband, Carl Thomas; a son and daughter-in-law, Josh and April Stallings; two stepsons, Chad Thomas (Leigh Ann) and Brad Thomas (Ronda); two grandsons, Mason Stallings and Knox Thomas; two granddaughters, Elizabeth McCracken (Travis) and Hannah Johns (Wren); great-grandchildren, Blair McCracken, Reighley McCracken, and Everly McCracken; a brother, Jim Whiteside (Connie);  a sister, Janelle Lund (Paul); and her mother-in-law, Myrtle Thomas. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Whiteside.

Joellen was a steadfast woman of many talents. She learned many professions including banking, retail, dance, bookkeeping, and office administration. One highlight of her career was performing with 300 other Jazzercise instructors at Giants stadium during the closing ceremony of the Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration. It was through Jazzercise that she met some of her closest friends and made many cherished memories.

Joellen's life was filled with much more than her professional pursuits. Her identity was that of Christ follower, accepting Jesus as her Savior at Hunter's Creek Baptist Church in 1994. She was part of the fellowship at Mount Zion Presbyterian Church near Anderson and grew in her faith through her treasured discussions with the Rev. Allyson Helvie of Mount Zion Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Byron Kennedy of Zebulon Baptist Church.

Most reading this knew Joellen as loving and loyal, with a tireless energy for creating new and unique crafts that lended her classy touch to many gifts and special gatherings. A select few knew her as Granny Jo, a moniker that should forever be retired in honor of how she defined the title and made countless special moments in the lives of her grandchildren.

Joellen will be remembered for her infectious expressions of joy, whether through her smile, her laugh, or her enthusiasm. She would want all reading this to know that while her illness connected her to the trials of Job, she found strength in scriptures like Psalm 34:4 and Joshua 1:9. She would say that while her body had a disease, her joy did not. She would want us to be encouraged by Jesus' words in John 14:27:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

The family will receive friends at Whitlock Mortuary in Toccoa from noon until the service time Monday, November 24, 2025.

Funeral services will be held at two o'clock Monday, November 24, 2025 from the Chapel of Whitlock Mortuary with the Rev. Allyson Helvie and the Rev. Byron Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow at Toccoa City Cemetery.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net.

Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Joellen Whiteside Thomas.