Joan Goddard Marks was a proud native of Jacksonville, FL, born on July 5, 1929, to Arthur and Fairy Goddard, just 3 ½ months before the Stock Market crash and the onset of the Great Depression. Nonetheless, her parents were able to provide, and Joan grew up to attend college at Florida State University where she obtained an education degree, and later a master's degree in Childhood Education from Wright State University. Joan began her teaching career in Florida, but was then accepted into the DOD School System as a teacher. This led her to a position at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany teaching the dependents of US Air Force families. Also at Ramstein was Air Force pilot Samuel Marks. In 1956, Joan and Sam entered into a 50-year marriage that ended with Sam's passing in 2007. During their time together, Joan and Sam traveled the world visiting nine countries and many parts of the USA. Together, they built a vast network of friends with whom they kept in contact. At one point, Joan sent nearly 400 Christmas or birthday cards out annually. Joan and Sam were faithful members of the Kirtland Air Force Base chapel for many decades, and held their eternal security in Christ as central to their lives. In recent years, Joan made many friends at the Woodmark Assisted Living Facility and more recently, in ABQ hospice and she was very thankful for the wonderful staff and support she received.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 - FRENCH-Wyoming at 10:00 am with a graveside to follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery.