Twila Joan Irvin

Joan Irvin, 84, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

She was born on April 13, 1940, to William B and Thelma (Weiss) Songster in Friend, Nebraska. Raised on a farm as a child, her father was a farmer & cattle rancher, which made her transition to Texas so much easier. Joan met the love of her life by chance when pulling into a service station in Abilene, Texas in October of 1960, when Jerry Irvin came out to fill her gas tank with $5.00 in gas. She was a student at ACC and he was at Hardin Simmons when they began the whirlwind romance. The two were married on January 21, 1961 in a ceremony in Winters, Texas and celebrated over 63 beautiful years together and many incredible memories. 

Joan spent the first 18 years of her career life as an elementary school teacher before her retirement. After retiring from teaching she embraced her other love, the love of flight, and became a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines when they moved to Georgia in 1985. Unfortunately, Eastern Airlines quit flying in 1991, and instead funded career changes for their employees through an allotment. Faced with a unique opportunity, Joan took the chance on becoming a pilot herself, which her husband already was. In celebration of her achievement, Jerry bought Joan her own plane to fly to add to his fleet. Together Jerry and Joan flew all over the US, Canada, and Central America, making beautiful memories along the way. 

Joan is preceded in death by her parents William and Thelma Songster and her brother David Songster.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years Jerry, her daughter Pamela Joy Fincher and husband Perry, of Abilene, her grand-daughter Jessalyn Woods, of Abilene, Texas, her sister Susan Hall and husband Mike, of Abilene, Texas, and brother Dan Songster of Grand Junction, Colorado. She is also survived by her dog Davos, her Shiba Inu, whom she considered a cherished companion and misses her something terrible.

A graveside service for Twila will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 2:00 pm, at Lakeview Cemetery in Winters, Texas, with Lynn Smith officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Christian Church of Ballinger in Twila’s honor.