Joan Yoakam

She loved her Michigan roots and was a proud graduate of The University of Michigan. She married the love of her life, Taylor Yoakam, in 1958 and they had an amazing 61 years together before his death in 2019. They worked hard, had many friends and literally traveled the world.

Joni had a strong work ethic. She was a nurse and a college professor. She got her masters in Early Childhood Development. She volunteered and was a board member with MHMR and Suicide Prevention/Crisis Intervention while working full-time. She was active in the Junior League in Amarillo and Oklahoma City.

Her great passions were helping to teach the disadvantaged how to best care for their children and creating beautiful things with her hands and she did so with great talent. Her many quilts, needlepoint pieces, embroidery, stained glass artwork and knitting are a constant reminder to her children and grandchildren of her love.

She is survived by her brother John A. Minnema (Foy), two children, Teri Winton (Chris), and S. Coler Yoakam, as well as her four grandchildren, Ben Thatcher (Cathy), Asa Yoakam (Katie), Dottie Yoakam and Beau Yoakam.

There will be no Memorial Service per her wishes. Donations in her memory can be made to Opportunity School, 1110 S. Harrison Street, Amarillo, TX 79101 https://www.opportunityschool.com/donate or Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNGLLEHPUV.