Joan Elaine Wilkes

Joan was the daughter of the late William Wesley and Grace Lilly Wilkes. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley College, Concord College and West Virginia University. She attended Marshall University studying special education and received her Masters Degree plus 45 hours from WVU. Her 41 years of teaching were at Crab Orchard Elementary and Lincoln Elementary. Her lifetime devotion was teaching the third grade.
In 2000 Joan was inducted into Mountain State University Alumni Hall of Fame and received the YMCA Spirit Award 2003. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Friendship Class, deaconess of the First Baptist Church, member of the Laura Hinchman Circle, corresponding secretary for the Daughters of the American Revolution, member of the Moose and Kiwanis Clubs, secretary to the former Rhododendron Club, advisory board member of Beckley Salvation Army, charter member of Raleigh County Historical Society and Humane Society, XI Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society and lifetime member of Raleigh County Library. Joan traveled extensively all over the world, sharing stories of her experiences and adventures with friends and students.