Joan (McDonald) Boone Zimmermann McDonald Knox

Rita Joan McDonald Boone Zimmermann Knox, 83 years old, passed peacefully from this world on Sunday, November 17, 2013. Joan was born November 11, 1930, in Forth Worth, to Dwight Wallace McDonald and his wife Gladys Elizabeth Midkiff. In 1932, the family moved to Midland where Joan attended school and graduated form Midland High School in the class of 1948, briefly attending Hardin-Simmons University, afterward. Joan enjoyed three love-filled marriages in her lifetime.

On September 13, 1949, she and Barry Kenton Boone were married and began their lives together on the Boone Ranch in Midland County. Through their daughters, Rita and Michelle, the Boone ranching heritage has continued, to the present day. Their twenty-three years together ended with Barry’s passing on April27, 1972.

Joan’s second marriage came on July 2, 1976, to Richard Leslie “Dick” Zimmermann. During this time, she began a lifelong bond and love for Richard’s two children, Barbara and Bob, and also became known as “Mama Joan” to her grandchildren. Richard’s passing came on January 8, 1998.

Four years later, on August 23, 2002, Joan married her high-school friend George W. “Tee” Knox. She and her daughters, once again, lovingly welcomed another family member in Tee’s daughter, Kathy. Joan’s final romance took her back to the country into the ranching life that she loved. She and Tee were fond of driving through the pasture so that she could see all of the “pretty little calves” at play. Their yearly anniversary party and barn dance, attended always by countless friends, was the highlight of every year for Joan and Tee during their time together.

“Joanie,” as she was called affectionately by friends, was known throughout her life as a very loving, happy, and generous woman. Her joyful personality was infectious, always bringing smiles and laughter to anyone nearby. This laughter was, indeed, her legacy, as it is the one thing that her family and friends most remember. Joanie’s distinct laugh brought contagious smiles, everywhere. The common saying was, “You may not see her but, when you hear that laugh, you know that Joanie is in the room!” Ms. Joan dearly loved dancing, especially to the old Western Swing music by Bob Wills and Jodi Nix, and rarely sat out during a tune. Her vivid still-life paintings, including windmills and sunsets, bless the walls of many family members, as well, and reflect the genuinely happy and equally vivid life that she led.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Dwight and Gladys McDonald, and husbands Barry Boone and Richard Zimmermann.

She is survived by husband George W. “Tee” Knox of Tarzan; a brother, Dwight Midkiff “Buddy” McDonald and wife, Sue, of Odessa; children Rita Boone Cone of Midland, Michelle Boone Mauzy and husband, Greg, of Midland, Barbara Zimmermann Windom and husband, Eddy, of Grapevine, Robert L. Zimmermann of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Kathy Knox Buchholz and husband, Gary, of Bardwell; a niece, Julie McDonald Garrett and husband, Chris, of Odessa; grandchildren Dustin Lee Gragg and wife, Mande, of Midland, Kacey Gragg Whisenhunt and husband, Aaron, of Fort Worth, Eric Windom and wife, Stacey, of Frisco, Jared Windom and wife, Leah, of Colleyville, and Tyler Windom and wife, Andrea, of Grapevine; nine great-grandchildren; and many cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 20, at 11:30 a.m., followed by interment at Resthaven Cemetery. Those honoring Joan as pallbearers include Bob Cone, Dustin Gragg, Aaron Whisenhunt, Eric Windom, Jared Windom, and Tyler Windom.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Brenda Smyers and Katherine Wiley for their faithful care of our Mama Joan, as well as the wonderful and amazing staff members of Hospice of Midland, Poppy Flowers, Inc., and the Manor Park Vogel Unit.

Please honor Joan by directing memorials to Hospice of Midland or your local SPCA.