Joan Rae Klink

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Joan Rae Klink, a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Murfreesboro, at the age of 90.

She was the daughter of Walter and Lois Carll Klink of Olean, N.Y. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Hargis, on July 6, 1957, and they remained married for 62 years until his death on May 15, 2018.

She was a college graduate at State University College at Geneseo (N.Y.), where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

She worked as a first grade elementary school teacher for 25 years, spending the majority of her career at Allegany (N.Y.) Elementary from 1972-1991. Previous to her job in Allegany she worked in both Portville, N.Y. and Cuba, N.Y., as a second grade teacher.

Joan served as a member of the First Baptist Church of Olean and upon moving to The Villages, Fla., joined the North Lake Presbyterian Church.

She spent her free time sewing, knitting, crocheting and reading and enjoyed socializing with friends by playing games and cards.

Surviving are her daughter, Vicki Hargis of Smyrna; son, Kevin Hargis of Olean; three grandchildren, Scott Baham of Gainesville, Paige Kicklighter of Murfreesboro and Nicholas Hargis of Olean; and one great-granddaughter, Marlowe Kicklighter of Murfreesboro. She has one surviving brother-in-law, Gene Whitney of The Villages; and was preceded in death by her two sisters, Donna Whitney of The Villages and Carol Kuchinski and her brother-in-law David Kuchinski of Canton, Ga. She has three surviving nephews, Marc Whitney, Eric and Brad Kuchinski.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Beyers Funeral Home, 134 Route 441, Lady Lake, Fla., with the visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. The burial will be Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at the Florida National Cemetery, with her husband Thomas Hargis.

Online condolences may be made at www.beyersfuneralhome.com.