Joanne McAlister Frost, 86, of Allen, TX, passed away on January 5, 2024. She was born on December 24th, 1937, in the house she also grew up in at 107 W. Conway in Benton, AR, to the late Woodrow Wilson and Mary Virginia McAlister.

Joanne graduated from Benton High School in 1955 and was a proud member of the Benton High Harmony Maids singing group. She also attended the University of Arkansas. In 1957, Joanne married James Howard Frost, and their adventurous journey began when he enlisted in the US Army. Their travels took them to Munich, Germany, where their first child, Roxanne, was born. Shortly after, they returned to Fayetteville for James to complete a Civil Engineering degree and where they welcomed the birth of their second child, Ronnie Allen.

Throughout James' career, he and Joanne lived in Pine Bluff, AR, Memphis, TN, Hanover, NH, Topeka, KS, before settling back in Little Rock in late 1994. Joanne embraced various opportunities along the way, serving as a sponsor/chaperone for the Miss Pine Bluff pageant, a state officer for the Arkansas Jaycees, a page for the Kansas State Legislature, president of a Little Rock Beta Sigma Phi Sorority chapter, a member of the UMW, and a choir member at Parkway Village.

Over their 55 years of marriage, Joanne and James enjoyed the Florida beaches with family and cherished all things related to their beloved Razorbacks. As a mother, Joanne wore many hats over the years: cub scout/girl scout leader, football/baseball/basketball mom and band mom.

Joanne found joy in blues, jazz, easy listening, and big band music. Her hobbies included gardening (especially growing gardenias), shopping at garage and estate sales, and collecting Christmas trees and Snow Globes. Special likes included fresh flowers (particularly red roses), houseplants, gold jewelry, candles, and crystal.

Preceded in death by her parents and husband, James Howard Frost.  Joanne is survived by her daughter, Roxanne (Bobby) LeCroy of Allen, TX; son Ronnie Allen Frost of Spring Hill, TN; sister, Mary Lynn Bell of Hot Springs Village, AR; brother-in-law Richard Frost and sisters-in-law Barbara Frost and Betty Frost, all of Springdale, AR; nieces Shaneen Tuley of Seal Beach, CA, and Crystal (Brad) Reeves of Van Buren, AR; and grandchildren, Haley (Collie) Fox of Huntingdon, TN, and Jonathan LeCroy of Allen, TX.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Joanne's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, with a private burial at Old Rosemont Cemetery following the service.