Lou Jane Rhoads Daum, 81, of Batesville, Arkansas peacefully departed this life on Friday, September 8, 2023, with her husband, Bill, by her side. She received her master’s degree in education at Arkansas State Teacher’s College (now ASU) and served as a 4th-grade schoolteacher for 13 years in Wynne, Arkansas and for 22 years in Newark, Arkansas.
Those students might be surprised to find out that in the years between Wynne and Newark ”Janie” spent some of her happiest times, on the road, as a back-up singer in her husband’s band.
Anyone who knew Jane understood that she found comfort in the order of organization, she had no patience for rude behavior, and if something wasn’t a bargain, she probably didn’t need it.
Her grandkids would tell you that she loved tiny poodles and made the ”world’s best desserts.”
On Christmas day in 1976, she married William ”Bill” Hart Daum. Their love was special, and it held them together for 46 years as they traveled the country and owned several businesses. Bill was holding her hand as she peacefully passed on Friday, September 8.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew ”Andy” and Tom ”Tommie” D. Rhoads, her brother Johnny Mack Rhoads and his wife Johnye Kelly Rhoads, her uncle Guthrie Denton and his wife Mable Denton, and her niece Mary Mack Lammers and her husband James Lammers.
Jane is survived by her husband Bill, her husband’s four children, Terry Wentland of Higginsville, MO., Doug Daum of Louisville, KY, Barbie Daum of Grain Valley, MO and Bill Daum JR of St Louis, MO. Her three nieces, Tom Rhoads of Marked Tree, AR, Ann Rhoads and Dr Joseph Wisnieski of Big Sky, MT, Jan Rhoads Miller and Dr. Thomas Miller of Kennett, MO, her grandniece Andrea Lammers Tharnish and husband Scott Tharnish of Fort Smith, AR, and her great-grandniece Addison Tharnish of Fort Smith, AR, also survived by seven grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5 pm-7 pm Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home located at 510 E. College Avenue in Batesville, AR.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at St. James United Methodist Church located on AR-14 in St. James, AR.
Memorials may be sent in memory of Lou Jane Rhoads Daum to St. James United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
