Joan Marilyn Edmondson

Joan Marilyn Edmondson ObituaryJoan Marilyn McDonald went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 24, 2025. Joan Marilyn (better known as Joni) was born March 16, 1949, to the union of Erna May McDonald and John Morrison McDonald, Sr. in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
She attended Bristol Elementary School, North Junior High School, and graduated from William J. Palmer High School where she served as the first black Secretary of Courtesy. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education in May 1971. She later earned her Master of Arts degree in Education in 1992 from the University of Dayton.
She married William Emanuel Edmondson ("Ed.") on December 18, 1971. They had three children- Maya, Courtney, and Cory. She began her 53-year teaching career as a preschool teacher at Ft. Lupton, Colorado in 1971. She taught all over the world in places such as Washington, New Mexico, Guam, Germany, Colorado Springs, and eventually retired in Dayton, Ohio in May 2023. The bulk of her teaching career was spent at Valley Forge Elementary School where she taught for 38 fabulous years. She didn't want to retire when she did! She loved teaching that much.
Upon returning from being stationed at Ramstein AFB in Germany, Joni and Ed started attending Chapel 3 on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, Ohio. Joni was an active member of the Gospel Choir for nearly thirty years, even touring to various places around the country. She was also an integral member of the Praise Team and loved teaching Children's Church and Vacation Bible School. She also enjoyed attending church services at Chapel 2, Kingdom Purpose and New Season Ministry in Dayton, Ohio and Payne Chapel AME in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Joni was also a Student Advisor and Placement Coordinator for EF Education First exchange program. She began hosting exchange students in 2001 and continued hosting, placing and supervising students from all over the world for almost 20 years. Most of these students called her "Mom" and she took that role seriously, creating a home for many students that lasts until this day. She has exchange student children from countries all over the world including China, Thailand, Japan, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Czech Republic, Spain, Norway, Colombia, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
She leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy of faith, family and service, her husband and children William "Ed." Edmondson, Maya Edmondson (Falls Church, VA), Courtney Edmondson (Colorado Springs, CO), and Cory Edmondson (Dayton, OH). Three grandchildren will continue to remember the wonderful times and memories created with their "Bubba"- Sean Carter, Jr. (Colorado Springs, CO), Kori Edmondson (Dayton, OH) and Kennedi Edmondson (Dayton, OH). She will continue to live on through her siblings- Elaine McDonald (Tacoma, WA), Sharon McDonald Tunson (Colorado Springs, CO), John McDonald, Jr. (Denver, CO), Rodney McDonald (Austin, TX), (Kelly), Brian McDonald (Las Animas, CO) (Amy), and Rebecca Price (Colorado Springs, CO).
Her vivacious spirit and zest for life will also be carried on through her many nieces, nephews, godchildren, "bonus" children and grandchildren, foreign exchange students, elementary school students, church family and friends she met along the way.
She is preceded in death by her mother and father, her niece Natalie Spann and her nephew Kevin David.
Donations in her memory may be made in the name of Joan Marilyn Edmondson to Payne Chapel AME Building Fund, Assistance League of Colorado Springs-Operation School Bell, or a charity of your choice.
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Joan Marilyn McDonald went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 24, 2025. Joan Marilyn (better known as Joni) was born March 16, 1949, to the union of Erna May McDonald and John Morrison McDonald, Sr. in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
She attended Bristol Elementary School, North Junior High School, and graduated from Will