Jo Ann Williams 79, of Walnut Ridge departed this life on Saturday August 3, 2024, peacefully at her home with her two daughters by her side. Jo Ann was born to the late Jess Tate and Lora Jackson Tate in Hoxie, AR on January 4, 1945, and grew up in the Arbor Grove Community. She was a 1962 graduate of Hoxie High School. She was a longtime member of the First Free Will Baptist Church where she taught preteen Sunday School for 10 years. She was also a charter member of the United Free Will Baptist Church. She worked side by side with her husband Sonny in operating the family farm. She loved her flowers and gardening. She was an avid doll collector and enjoyed going to doll shows with her late sister. In retirement, she and Sonny moved to the hill house in Dalton where they enjoyed their horses and hosting family gatherings. She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Sonny” Williams; parents, Jess and Lora Tate; infant daughter, Shelley Annette Williams; sister, Emma Bookout Teeters. She is survived by her children, Stacy Williams Dudley (Chris) of Walnut Ridge and Marsha Inboden (Clay) of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Austin Seth Williams, Mady Claire McGinnis, Mason McGinnis and Abby Kate Rogers; sister, Ann Jones of Walnut Ridge; brother, Jesse Tate of Hardy and a multitude of special nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. All services will be held at the United Free Will Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge. Visitation will be 12-2 PM Thursday with a funeral service beginning at 2 PM with Glenn Smith and Dale Blackwell officiating.

Burial will be private under direction of McNabb Funeral Home. Donations may be made in honor of Jo Ann Williams to the United Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund.