Joan was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Skip” Thayer, son baby boy Thayer, daughter baby girl Thayer, father Lawrence Brister, mother Cathern Brister, brothers Bob and Bill Brister, and nieces Joy Skierka and Jennifer McCormack.

Joan is survived by son Bobby Thayer and Cheryl of Ranger, daughter Tonya Orsini and Michael of Ranger, grandsons Blain Thayer, PharmD., Tyler Tortomasi, Senjin Thayer and partner Colby, Mason Thayer and wife Bryanna, Seth Thayer and fiancé Caitlon, Trey Orsini and partner Jordan, granddaughters Kali Tortomasi and partner Jeremy, Kalyn McCune and wife Anna, great- grandchildren Lily, Dusty, Scotlynn, Dasha, Delia, Remy, a baby boy on the way, brothers Ralph Brister and wife Darcy, Grover Brister and wife Barbara, sisters Linda Allen, Judy Klingenstein and husband Rollie, Karla McIntire and husband Mitch, sister- in- law Loretta Brister, nephews Paul, Brian, Larry, Russell, Joshua, Jack, Jeremy, nieces Stacie, Lynette, Pamela, Nikki, Tatiana, and numerous other extended family. Joan was born on October 12,1943, in Pasadena, Texas, to Lawrence and Cathern Brister. She was the second born of eight children and was very close with her siblings.

She grew up residing across the country, from the cotton fields of Missouri, throughout west Texas, along the Colorado Rockies, “down by the crick” of Ostrander, Washington, and everywhere in between, wherever her dad could find work. She attended numerous grade schools and later went on to Imperial Valley College in Imperial, California, where she received her cosmetology license with a 4.0 grade point average. Joan was also a majority member of the International Order of Job’s Daughters of Bethel 252 in Holtville, California. Joan married the love of her life, Skip, on December 23, 1961, in Winter Haven, California, at the same time as their best friends, Kenneth and Mary Boyd. Joan and Skip were eager to start a family and together had four beloved children; Bobby, Tonya, and a son and daughter who passed away at birth. In 1977, they made their home in Ranger, Texas, where Joan worked as a beautician at the salon she owned and had many regular clients.

To be closer to family, they moved back west in 1988, this time to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she worked at Bourbon Street Casino as a floor shift slot supervisor. She and Skip then moved back to Ranger in 1993, where she spent much of her time helping raise her grandchildren and they both resided there until they each passed away.

Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger will be her final resting place, alongside her husband, mom, and dad. Joan’s home was a haven for family and friends. A fresh pot of coffee and breakfast were offered daily along with a friendly debate or two.

She loved to paint, read Juile Garwood novels, dance around the house, and could play a mean game of both Yahtzee and Spades. She was a “girly-girl” who loved all things pink and always carried herself with grace.

Joan was one who would cry with you or laugh till she cried with you. She was a strong advocate for women’s rights and championed equality for all individuals. Her compassionate concern extended beyond personal circles, encompassing a genuine care for the welfare of humanity. She was also a generous woman that would offer you her last dollar or hide it away somewhere so you couldn’t give it back. She dreamed of one day taking care of her extended family's finances and started many sentences with the words “When I hit the Lotto.…” Family was Joan’s greatest treasure, and you would often hear her boasting about her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She will forever be remembered for her infectious laugh and joyful spirit and will be greatly missed by all who got the opportunity to know and love her.