Joann was born in June of 1933 to parents James Talmadge and Clara Belle Rhodes Stilley in Timpson, Texas.  She had at least four siblings we beleive, Talmadge Delton Stilley, Bobby Stilley, Kay Stilley Higley, Hilda Stiley Watson.  Joann graduated in from Timpson High School in 1951.  She married Billy L. Thompson on November 2, 1961. at the age of 47,  Note she had been married prievoiusly to a Choate.  They had at least one child, Mike who died tragically at the start of his senior year in high school at Timpson.  She also had a daughter, Pam.

Joann died in June of 2003 in Timpson.