Joan Wilkinson

On August 6, 1930, Joan Bianchi was born in Dallas, Texas to John Henry Bianchi and Thelma Agnes Chadwick Bianchi. She came to learn and was very proud to know that she was named after the Saint Joan of Arc. Two older siblings Sarah (Sally) and John Henry Jr. were already waiting to greet their new sister. Later in life her family welcomed another child, a sister, Yvonne. Joan grew up with a childhood friend who was like a sister, Glenna Epps Clark, whom she reconnected with later in life. They in their younger years had many escapades around town together. She attended and graduated from North Dallas High School and always coveted her yearbook. Joan went on to work as a telephone switchboard operator (headsets included) and later to work for Frito Lay Company.

She met and married Clyde Nolan Wilkinson, Jr. and later they moved to the Houston, Texas area. They brought into the world five children: Debra Wilkinson Alldredge - spouse, Lonney. Pamela Wilkinson Dunbar Labac - spouse, Doug. Dirk Wilkinson - spouse, Cindy. Wade Wilkinson . Leigh Wilkinson Walden - spouse, Michael. She was blessed with the following grandchildren: Heather Robertson - spouse, James, Steven Labac-spouse, Mary, Eric Labac, Taylor Wilkinson, Amanda and Clayton Wilkinson, Emma and Molly Walden. And further blessed with the following great grandchildren: Morgan, Lindsey and Karli Ford; James and Hailey Robertson, and Zoey Labac.

Her Joan of Arc Spirit served her well as she was Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great- Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend to all. She enjoyed being a member and teaching Sunday School for years at the Bellaire United Methodist Church. She helped with all the kid's school projects, band, Blue Bird groups, Camp Fire groups, Cub Scouts and more. Family Camping trips and Boating outings each summer found her creatively cooking for all with a Coleman Stove and serving on a fold up aluminum table and navigating interesting horseback riding adventures. She enjoyed her travels to Hawaii's and Mexico's beaches...She was also fond of going to the Galveston, TX beaches to enjoy the surf. Her other interests included sewing, music, dancing, jaunting to the casinos, but she also never walked away from mowing and working in the yard. Later she worked for American General Insurance and enjoyed being in the work world again.

She lived a long life passing just 24 days shy of her 90th Birthday. We so wish her independent, tough spirit at this age had not had to encounter COVID-19, for we believe she would still be watching tv, eating Whataburgers, asking for chocolate and dancing to "This Little Light of Mine"," Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" or any Frank Sinatra Song.

Celebration of Life Service via Zoom will be Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 10 am. Please contact emma@fabplaygrounds.com to be included in Zoom. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or charity close to your heart.

Preceded in Death by:
Father: John Henry Bianchi
Mother: Thelma Agnes Chadwick Bianchi
Brother: John Henry Bianchi
Sister: Yvonne Bianchi