Joan married David John Hanks in 1952 who precedes her in death, to this union three children were born.. She was widowed at a young age in 1954 and raised three children as a single parent .In 1967 she met her life partner William Edwards, Jr. he preceded her in death in 2014. She worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone company as a operator in St. Louis, Mo and retired after 25 years of service.

Joan Hanks was a member of Northside Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO were she was Baptized and gave her life to the Lord in 1960.

Joan loved gardening, playing Biz Whist, watching her old black and white cowboy movies and tending to her community. She was known around the neighborhood as Mrs. Hanks and by close friends and neighbors as “Pete” a nickname given to her by a close uncle. She earned respect because of her caring ways and respect she gave in return in the neighborhood that she lived in for sixty years. She was a simple woman that enjoyed life. She was a very private person, so much so that her children had to make an appointment to see her.

Joan Helen Hanks leaves to cherish her memories; daughter Cynthia ( Arthur) Gibson: son Lawrence Charles (Wanda) Hanks; grandchildren Erinn, Brandon, Brittany and Jessica; great-grandchildren James, Jayla, Jaydon, Dashondre and Dion: special cousins Frances Ball and Rowland Williams,: and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews in St. Louis, MO and Osceola,AR and friends.