JoAnn Thompson, age 86, of Benton, passed away on Friday, April 7 in Benton.  She was born on February 10, 1937, in Hodge, Louisiana to the late Mary Young Newcomb and the late Herbert Newcomb of Benton.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Thomas A. Thompson, by an infant son Thomas Adams Thompson III, and a brother David Lee Newcomb.  She is survived by her daughters Susan Eoff and husband Buddy of Benton, Sarah Durham and her husband Mike of Hackett, and four grandchildren: Adam Eoff and his wife Megan, Austin Eoff and his wife Shelby, Zach Ruple and his wife Madison and Mary Ruple; and two great grandchildren Sawyer Eoff and Navy Ruple.  She is also survived by her brother Dale Newcomb and his wife Carolyn of Benton, and several nieces and nephews.

JoAnn believed strongly about the importance of three things:  her faith, her family and her friends.  Her activities all stemmed around those things.  She was very active in her church, First Baptist Benton, thru WMU, teaching Sunday School, Senior Adult trips and fellowship.  All of the ladies she taught for several years held a special place in her heart.  She hosted family gatherings anytime she could – whether that was large groups at holidays or small family meals with her children and grandchildren.  Everyone looked forward to going to Grandma's house.  She greatly enjoyed traveling, playing cards, and dinners with friends.  There were many cruises, trips to Ireland and England, weekly card nights etc.  She also loved her quilting group of friends.  They gathered frequently to sew together.  Her sewing and quilting produced many heirlooms that her family will treasure.

We would like to give a very special thank you to the staff at Pleasant Hill Senior Services at the Daisy House.  They took great care of her and loved her during her last months.

A celebration of JoAnn's life will be held on Monday, April 17 at 2:00 at First Baptist Church, 211 South Market St., Benton, Arkansas.  Visitation will be that same day at 1:00 at First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Children's Ministry, 211 South Market St, Benton AR 72015.