Joan Wilson Lybyer, 81, of Mountain Grove, died Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.
She was born Aug. 16, 1928, in Manes, daughter of Bert and Bertha Moseley Wilson. She and Albert “Al” Lee Lybyer were married Nov. 1, 1946.
She graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1945. She had a long career with the department of defense at the Defense Contract Administration Services Region (DCASR) in Texas. In 1965, she joined the administrative services division at NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas.
She received an associate of science degree in engineering technology from Richland College in Dallas, Texas, in 1975 and her quality engineering certification in 1976. She worked as a quality control officer on military weapons projects, ultimately receiving the woman of the year award in 1984 from DCASR. She retired from the department of defense in September 1989 and was awarded the distinguished career award from the Defense Logistics Agency for 24 years of service._ _
Joan retired to her family farm on Beaver Creek in Manes in 1989. She dedicated the last 20 years of her life to her family, friends, quilting and flower gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; two sons, Dr. James “Jim” Layne Lybyer, DVM, and Johnny Wilson Lybyer.
Survivors include a daughter, Jeanne Knight of Dallas, Texas; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. _ _
A memorial service will be held on the family farm in Manes in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to Evans Funeral Home, 224 S. Grand, Houston, Mo., 65483. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansfh.com.
