JoAnn Matlock

The sweet and loving life known as JoAnn Matlock came to a close on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Although she lived for 61 years and what some may call a short life, those who were touched by her understood that the quality of her existence far exceeded the quantity of time many of us spent with her. JoAnn was born on January 14, 1954, in the small, but close knit town of Sparkman, Arkansas to the union of Wylie and Bessie Turner Matlock. She accepted Christ at a young age and attended Sparkman Training School. She later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. JoAnn was a loving mother who made sure that her children had nutritious food, clean clothes and an education. She took her role as mother seriously. She was fun and loving, but tough and didn’t play. She said “what she meant” and “meant what she said”. Her children and grandchildren were the apple of her eye. She believed that there are some bad in the best of us and some good in the worst of us. As her health began to decline she relocated to Hot springs, Arkansas where she united with the Greater St. Paul Baptist Church family. She loved to cook and could be found talking on the telephone with relatives and friends for hours. Her passing shall be filled with rejoicing for a life well lived. She now is added to His great and blessed family in the world beyond our vision, a place not made by human hands, a place we call Heaven. She leaves fond memories in the hearts of her children: Clifton Jeffries of Memphis, TN, Shoshana Gambrell of Memphis, TN, Ashley M. Gambrell of Memphis, TN, Antonio Matlock of Memphis, TN and Abram Gambrell of Memphis, TN; sisters, Bobbie Dailey of Princeton, AR, Emma Perry of Milwaukee, WI, Betty Jo Owens (Kenneth) Carthage, AR, Carolyn Johnson of Hot Springs, and Cora M. Adams of Hot Springs, AR; brothers, Floyd Matlock of Hot Springs, AR, Larry Matlock of Hot Springs, and Eddie Lee Matlock of Little Rock, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Public visitation for Ms. Matlock will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. The last farewell will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Greater St. Paul Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Rev. Kenneth R. Gulley will officiate. The interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Sparkman, Arkansas.