Joanne McGee Minsky passed away from this earth to receive her heavenly reward on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at the age of 83. Joanne was born at home on May 21, 1934 to Wesley Bailey McGee and Hattie Lois Allen McGee, in Navasota, Texas. She attended Navasota schools where she met and fell in love with William “Bill” Lawrence Minsky. After they graduated from Navasota High School in 1951, Joanne left Navasota to attend East Texas Baptist College, where she earned her BA. Bill left high school to join the United States Air Force, where he became a radar engineer, and was stationed in Alaska. In June of 1955, he received leave to return home to marry Joanne on June 25, 1955. While Bill was attending Texas A&M University, their daughter, Lisa, was born in 1959. Joanne and Bill spend their 52 years of marriage moving from town to town following Bill’s job. In February 1968, they settled in Houston, Texas and in 1992 moved to Anderson, Texas.
Joanne and Bill spent many years, while in Anderson, volunteering their time at the local historical site Fanthorp Inn, and participated in the renovation of the Grimes County Courthouse. Joanne was a history buff, and enjoyed any opportunity to research her family genealogy. While doing this research, she discovered that she was descended from a founder of the Republic of Texas, and became a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She found great joy in being part of this organization.
Joanne and Bill were active members of the church. Joanne played organ for Anderson Baptist Church and then for the Anderson First United Methodist Church in Anderson, Texas. She enjoyed her years of service to the Lord.
She was preceded in death by ten years and one day, by her loving and devoted husband, Bill. She is survived by her daughter Lisa and husband David Neal Ward; granddaughters Amy Ivey and Anne White; step-grandsons Dustin Neal Ward and wife Krystal, and Shaun Michael Ward and wife Jennifer. Her great grandchildren brought her much joy and happiness, Brian Allen and Brandon William Ivey, Colton Robert, Ashtyn Jenee and Emersyn Leann Ward and Chelsea Diane Ward; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held for Joanne at the Anderson First United Methodist Church in Anderson on Saturday, July 15th at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations to a favorite charity in her memory are welcomed.
You are invited to leave kind words and fond memories at
www.noblesfuneral.com
.