JoAnn Ruth Thorne Autry passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, in her home surrounded by her family after a long and valiant struggle with cancer. She was born on July 21, 1942, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Sheila Ida McLaughlin Thorne and Clifford Thorne. She graduated from high school in Buena Park, Calif., and was married to A. Leroy Autry on April 19, 1963, in Fullerton, Calif. Jo Ann converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California. Their marriage became an eternal union on June 15, 1968, in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. Jo Ann was given many callings to serve within the church. She enjoyed all of them as they gave her the opportunity to serve the Lord and those people around her. She loved people and continually went out of her way to help others and ease their burdens. With that love she went into the field of social work by earning her bachelor's degree from Utah State University in 1992, followed by a master's degree from the University of Utah in 1998. Her career included positions as the director of the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education at USU, development coordinator at the Child and Family Support Center, and clinical therapist for LDS Family Services. She is survived by her children, Brock and his daughter Miya; Aram, his wife, Mandi and their children Taylor, Caleb, and Tye; Heather; and Breanne Autry Petersen, her husband Devan and their daughter, Ices. She is also survived by her two sisters Jan Meyer (Joseph) and Melinda Sprague (Donald). She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Leroy and daughter Trisha; as well as her mother and father; brother Wayne; and sisters Patricia and Beverly. The family would like to give a special note of gratitude to the many health care providers who cared so lovingly for Jo Ann during the years of her illness: Dr. Saundra Buys and her staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Dr. Ed Redd, Dr. Bryan R. Larsen, Dr. Leslie Ingersoll and staff, and Dr. Matthew Welter. Our gratitude is also extended to Access Hospice, especially Diane Crockett and all the CNA's who helped care for Jo Ann. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, at the Providence Stake Center, 180 S. 485 West. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E. 400 North, Logan, Utah, and on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center preceding the funeral. Interment will be in the Hyrum City Cemetery immediately following the funeral. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Child and Family Support Center, 380 W. 1400 North, Logan, Utah, 84341, phone: (435) 752-8880. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com.