Joan Wilkes Salem

Joan Wilkes Salem, 90, of Abilene, Texas passed away on January 31st, 2026. Joan was born in 1935 to Morris, and Margaret Wilkes in Chesapeake Ohio. She moved to Southern California after graduating high school in 1952, before moving to Winnemucca, Nevada in 1976, and ultimately to Abilene, Texas in 1989 after marrying William (Bill) Salem. She worked in school districts, and had a 13 year career as a juvenile probation officer, always providing words of encouragement and counsel. She continued to build community and support her large family and network of friends throughout her life, including her deep commitment to helping wherever needed at Elmwood West Methodist Church. She was unpretentious, along for every joke, and perpetually on to the next event.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Margaret Wilkes, her Daughter Cheryl Lynn Riggs, her husband's Thomas Riggs, Albert Keith and William Salem, and her siblings Geraldine Samson, Betty Blazer, Gloria Salem, Joyce Bowens and Bob Wilkes.

She is survived by her sons, Kimball Riggs and wife Jeanie, Thomas Riggs and wife Sonya, Kevin Keith and wife Michelle, and step children Richard Salem and Debi Salem. She is also survived by a host of grandchildren, and great grandchildren - all of whom will miss her tremendously. We will remember her fondly while playing dominoes or eating donuts, or rushing off for our next commitment. It falls to each of us now to remind each other, as Joan would have, that “you’ll make the right choices - you always do”. 



A visitation will be held at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, located at 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX 79606, on February 6, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for February 7, 2026, from 10:00 am at Elmwood West Methodist Church, 1302 S Pioneer Dr, Abilene, TX 79605. The committal service will follow Celebration of Life at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 US-277, Abilene, TX 79606.