Joann Miller

Joann Miller, age 80, of Cotton Plant, passed away on Sunday morning, January 11, at her daughter's home in Jacksonville.

Joann was born on January 12, 1945, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, to Ardell Smith and Cathola Hudson-Smith. Tragically, Joann's mother passed away when she was an infant, and she was lovingly raised by her elder sister and brother-in-law, Katheron and Reverend Willie Palmer.

Joann was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church James Addition in Cotton Plant, where she was the longtime Youth Leader.

Joann attended the Cotton Plant Public School system and graduated in 1964 from Cotton Plant Vocational High School. In her later years, she continued to pursue education by taking college courses.

On June 25, 1962, Joann married the late Warren Miller Sr. Their union was blessed with three children: Warren "Randy" Jr., Valeria, and Marva.

Joann dedicated more than 30 years of service as a Para Pro Professional and Teacher's Aid with the Cotton Plant Public Schools. Prior to her career in education, she worked for five years at the Des Arc Shirt Factory.

Joann was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Miller Sr.; her son, Warren "Randy" Miller Jr.; granddaughter, Veronica Freeman; great-grandson, Warren Freeman Jr.; her parents, Ardell (Pauline) Smith and Cathola Smith; and siblings, Robert Smith, Andrew Smith, Margaret Smith-Mallory, and Lawyer B. Smith.

Joann is survived by her daughters, Valeria Miller Freeman of Jacksonville, AR, and Marva (Richard) Stearns of Killeen, TX; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; her bonus children, Richard Bryson of Cotton Plant, AR, and Onone (Mark) Woodberry of Little Rock, AR; two brothers, Melvin Smith of Chicago, IL, and Bill Purdiman of Little Rock, AR; sisters, Katheron Earnestine Palmer and Charlene (Eddie) Mayo of Cotton Plant, AR, Ruby Smith of Chicago, IL, and Doris Smith of Little Rock, AR; sister-in-law, Marva Moore of St. Louis, MO; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

A public viewing will take place on Thursday evening, January 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at C.J. Williams Funeral Directors Chapel, 124 South Main Avenue in Brinkley. Funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon, January 30, at 2:00 PM at the Brinkley Convention Center, 1501 Weatherby Drive in Brinkley, with Pastor Walter Pace serving as eulogist. Interment will follow at Morning Star Cemetery in Cotton Plant. Arrangements are by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 and Stuttgart (870) 672-7100. Email: williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com. Web: www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>.

The pallbearers are: Warren Freeman, Demetri Miller, Courtney Freeman, Matthew Stearns, Timothy Stearns, Johnathan Stearns, Christopher Stearns, Kalon Palmer and Dante' Lavender