Joan Hayden Barbee

Joan Hayden Barbee, 82, of Midland passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 surrounded in love. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Services will be at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel.

Joan was born on March 7, 1942 in El Paso, TX to Walter D. McElroy and Opal “Ann” Russell McElroy. She attended New Mexico State University and Texas Western College. While they were both working at the International Airport in El Paso, TX she met Howard. They were married December 27, 1963. They moved to Midland in 1979. She worked for Avis Rent-a-Car for many years before moving to Southwest Airlines as a Customer Service Agent from 1994 – 2020.

In 1995 she won the Winning Spirit Award and in 2000 she was Employee of the Year.  There are also many Commendations from customers she assisted adorning the walls.   She had been involved as a volunteer in many organizations including Partners in Education, the Midland Culture Committee and for the last 27 years ran Rest Stop # 1 sponsored by SWA in the MS 150 Bike Tour, adding fresh fruit and mimosas to the drinks and snacks provided by SWA. Howard drove her to and from work for the last 10 years of her career.  MANY times he would barely get back home and she would be on the phone calling him from the counter “Howard, come get me please ..I love you”. She always loved to travel and took many frequent trips to Marfa, Fredericksburg, Fort Davis, Monahans, Post and other small towns for weekend getaways and picnics with her love after retirement. She also traveled to visit her daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren often.  She was dearly loved by all and will be greatly missed.

Joan is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Howard Barbee. They were married for 60 years December 27, 2023. She is also survived by her daughter Stacey Smith and husband William, four grandchildren: Kalee Shearing and husband Justin, Kamile Holleman and husband Christian, Kendall Smith and wife Meredith, Kevin Smith and wife Amber, and four great-grandchildren: Julee Shearing, Kalin Shearing, Beau Holleman, and Charlotte Joan Holleman.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents Walter D and Ann McElroy.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards the staff they encountered at Midland Memorial Hospital, Hospice of Midland, her dear friends who are really like family, and all the LUV they received from her Southwest family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Midland Cat Wranglers, a cause very near and dear to her heart.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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