Joan Dawson

Mary Joan Dawson, age 87, of Tipton died Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Tipton Oak Manor with family at her side.

Joan was born May 3, 1929 to Oscar John and Mildred Stratman in Concordia, Missouri. While she was still young, she and her family relocated in Tipton. After graduating from Tipton High School, Joan achieved an Associates Degree from William Woods College.

William Robert Dawson and Joan married on October 2, 1949 and they shared over 64 years together, until his passing in May of 2014. They resided in Tipton and raised three children.

Joan was a secretary at Tipton R-VI Elementary School for 22 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and served as the organist for many years. She also used her musical talents to give piano lessons to a large number of children in the Tipton area. Joan was a member of and Past Worthy Matron of the Tipton Chapter #33, Order of Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Tipton's Women's Club.

Joan Dawson was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She is survived by her son Robert Alan Dawson and his wife Susan of Columbia; daughters Mary Linda Harkins of Tipton and Diane Lee Cary and her husband Bill of Jefferson City; grandchildren William Dawson, Rebecca Dawson, Scott Harkins and his wife Hannah, Amy Ayers and her husband John, Joshua Harkins and his wife Michele, Holly Snell and her husband Aaron, Heather Gilion and her husband Dallas, Heidi Neeley and her husband Jacob, Heath Wall and his wife Clare, Hannah Crowe and her husband Caleb and Hunter Wall; 17 great grandchildren and numerous other family and friends.

Funeral services for Mary Joan Dawson will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, December 23, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Tipton, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM prior to the service.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Music Department.

Online condolences may be submitted at www.meisenheimerfuneralhome.com.