Joan R. Knight

Joan Lucille Richard Knight, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 in Abilene, Texas.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm, Monday September 19, at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, September 20, at First Baptist Church, Abilene with C.V. Blake of First Baptist Church, Abilene, officiating.  A private family graveside service will be held prior to the funeral at Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene.

Joan Richard Knight was born in Houma, Louisiana, to Lynn and Lucille Richard on October 13, 1938.  Her childhood was spent in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where she graduated from high school.  She attended Louisiana College where she met the love of her life, George W. Knight.  They married on August 30, 1958 and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana.  She graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in education and taught preschool and elementary children for several years.  Her husband, George, was called into the ministry, and she supported his calling in many ways, often playing the piano in small churches where he preached. 

Joan and George moved to Abilene in 1976, as George became a professor of New Testament at Hardin-Simmons University.  She was a very active member of University Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church in Abilene.  Joan enjoyed choir, WMU, Sunday School and active with God’s Little Ones daycare.  She often served “behind the scenes,” quietly giving and loving others through prayer and sending prayer cards to many, many people over the years. She also enjoyed membership in the Abilene Woman’s Club.

Joan was blessed with three daughters, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; being a mother and grandmother was her greatest joy.  She has left a wonderful legacy of being a woman who loved her Lord and shared that love through her life of faith and devoted prayer for others.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Lucille Richard, husband George, and sister Linda Keller. 

Joan is survived by daughters: Karen Barlow and husband Jim, Kathy Welch and husband David, Luellen Lawler and husband Phil, grandchildren: Nicolas McMinn and wife Kenleigh, Shelby Beal and husband Hunter, Braxton Feemster and wife Brooklyn, Zandon Feemster, Sydney Roberson and husband Braeden, Ryley Sanford and husband Beau, great grandchildren: Watson Beal, Walker Beal, Jade Beal, and Stella Feemster, and brother-in-law Wayne Keller, sister-in-law Becky Tromater and husband Ray.

Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church Hope Center, First Baptist Church television ministry or Meals on Wheels Plus.  Joan’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to Dr. Patricia Shirley, the outstanding nurses on C5 and A4 at Hendrick Medical Center and Hendrick Hospice, Lyndale Senior Living, BeeHive Assisted Living, Encompass Home Health, and special Visiting Angels and companions Alice Lowery and Toni Williams.

Memories may be shared, and condolences submitted at: www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com