JoAnn Carpenter Jackson, 84 of Desha, AR passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at her home.
She was born Feb. 19, 1937, in Acy, Louisiana to Joseph Thomas and Pansy Earline (Wallace) Carpenter.
In 1966, Mrs. Jackson married Mr. Francis Jackson at Winbourn United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA.
Mrs. Jackson graduated from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, LA, in 1955, and after attending Southeastern Louisiana College in 1957, she moved to Long Beach, California chasing her dreams of travel. She later returned to Baton Rouge, where she worked at Dow Chemical and met her future husband.
After starting a family in 1968, she stayed home to raise her children. The family of four moved to Memphis in 1970, where she volunteered at her church, her children’s school, and various other organizations. After her youngest daughter graduated from high school, Mrs. Jackson returned to the workforce to work at Schering-Plough in Memphis until she retired.
After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson spent twenty years as full-time RVers, traveling from Mexico to Alaska. Mrs. Jackson continued her tradition of volunteerism while traveling. She and her husband volunteered as campground hosts and in other capacities at public facilities from local to State to National Parks across the country. JoAnn was heard to say that she volunteered at 13 agencies throughout 18 states.
Recently Mrs. Jackson settled in Desha with her husband. Since then she has been active in Southside United Methodist Church and supporting Southside Middle School through collecting box tops, can tabs, and filling the Blessing Box at the Southside 4-H Food Pantry.
JoAnn is survived by her loving husband, Francis Edwin Jackson; daughters Jana Mead and husband, Jeffery, and Joy Spivey and husband, Jonathan; step-daughters Kathy Burrow and husband, Jarry, and Patsy Jackson; her sister, Kay Carpenter McPherson, and husband, Dr. A. Bradley McPherson, and brother David Carpenter; six grandchildren: Jackson Mead (Madison Carter), Noah Jackson (Faith Duchanoy), Braden Mead (Taylor Dale Mead), Kathryn Mead, Nathaniel Spivey, and Annaleigh Mead; three step-grandchildren: Shauna Burrow Byers, Cole Spivey, and Hunter Spivey; and four step-great-grandchildren: Ryan Ebard, Kacen Whiseant, Riley Whiseant, and Alina Byers.
Mrs. Jackson also is survived by her nephews and nieces, Dr. Pamela McPherson, Dr. Tara McPherson, Joseph McPherson, Kane Carpenter, Dr. Cory Carpenter, and Col. Kyle Carpenter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two step-children, Frances Elizabeth Jackson David and Henry Stron Jackson; and step-grandaughter, Shelli David Ebarb.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 2, at 2 p.m., at Southside United Methodist Church. Family and friends are invited to share personal stories during the service. All CDC Guidelines for Covid will be followed and masks are required.
Memorials may be made to the Southside 4-H Food Pantry, Southside Methodist Church, or the organization of your choice.
Arrangments entrusted to Willis Funeral Service of Batesville, AR
