JoAnn Roth - Obituary & Service Details

JoAnn Roth

of Fayetteville, AR

December 19, 1933 - February 12, 2024

Some people seem to have life figured out and Joey Roth was one of those people. She maximized every second of her 90 years on this earth. And if you are reading this obituary, you most likely have a vivid memory of Joey and her unwavering zest for life. She truly lived out the saying "no bad days". She crossed the finish line on February 12, 2024. But goodness, what a run she had. She was equal parts genius and silly, wild and professional, healthy and unhealthy, structured and scattered and the list could go on and on.

Jo Ann Jaynes was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 19, 1933, to Roy and Dorothy Jaynes and later joined by her dear brother, Billy Bob Jaynes. She was always proud of her Sooner State roots but enrolled at the University of Arkansas and from that point on she was a proud Arkansan where she was a loyal member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Shortly into her college career, her path crossed with a strong but gentle Razorback football player from Stuttgart. Jo Ann and Jim Roth connected and thankfully, never let go.

Her given name was Jo Ann. Her daily name was Joey. But you better believe JoJo was the calling she adored the most. Given to her in 1985 by her first grandchild, the spunky and catchy nickname stayed with her throughout her life. Jo Ann was way too formal for her, but JoJo was a perfect fit for her energy and personality.

After sealing the deal with Jim in 1953, they began a life that revolved around retail and boys. And they were a fantastic combo at both. Their first retail journey began with JC Penney's in Little Rock and then a brief stay in Newport News, Virginia. But their Arkansas ties pulled them back to The Natural State as they accepted a position with JC Penneys in Pine Bluff in 1965. The next step, their final and most important step, was to Harrison, AR in 1971. A spot where Jim, Joey, and their three boys flourished with the Harrison House clothing store, Goblin athletics, numerous meaningful friends, community engagement, and the Buffalo National River.

Joey thrived in Harrison for nearly 50 years. She was the smiling face you saw, six days a week when you entered into Harrison House. She was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church and later First Christian Church. She was a proud member of the local PEO chapter. She was a tireless volunteer and advocate for the Boone Country Library and Workmatters. And she was blessed to have an abundance of friends who meant the absolute world to her. Joey was an extrovert who poured every ounce of love and attention into every person she connected with. Her friends were most evident at a time when Joey needed them the most. The town of Harrison showered them with generosity after a total-loss house fire in 1987.

Her spiritual life was a profound and well-thought-out element of her life. Christian biblical principles helped her shape and form her personal beliefs in who God is and how love is at the center of everything. Her unwavering commitment to trusting God and love people were the two pillars of her spiritual journey. Because of her absolute trust, she coined the phrase that became her life mantra: "trust is my only part".

Her happiest place in Harrison was, without a doubt, her beloved home and farm on Gip N Annie Road. It was said many years ago that Jim and Joey raised boys and cattle at Gip N Annie Road and that statement is true. Joey also spent countless hours on her beloved flowers and gardens. The other spot in which she put her talents to use was the kitchen. Cooking was a way for her to spread love to those around her. Nothing she loved more than a crowded table in her dining room. She always sat in the seat at the end of the table so she could have the quickest access to the kitchen to meet the needs of anyone who needed a refill or a second helping. She was a great cook when she stayed within the lines!

Another major piece of her life was her love of writing. She poured countless hours into handwritten notes and poems. Every word was thoughtfully and purposefully selected to meet the needs of the recipient. Her writings were never empty of meaning, they were medicine on paper for whomever needed the dose and many have become keepsakes for the recipients.

As a mother, she gave her three sons every advantage possible. Whatever they needed from their Mom, they received. Jim was strict, calculated, and firm, so Joey knew her role. And she mastered it. She was the loose, playful, and adventurous balance that her three boys needed.

But after raising three boys, she was blessed with three daughters-in-law and cherished them as true daughters. She was a fantastic mother and mother-in-law, but an even better grandmother. Six grandkids, all boys and she somehow perfectly catered to the unique needs of all six. In the final chapter of her life, she was a beaming great-grandmother. Finally, after nine consecutive sons and grandsons, she welcomed a girl into her family tree in 2013.

Joey was a true intellect. Her vocabulary was unrivaled. But she didn't ever flaunt it due to the fear of making someone else feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. The number of books she read in her life was beyond comprehension. She could, and would, often recite poetry and other works of literature. But to balance out her off-the-charts intelligence she would do things that made you shake your head, such as she once painted her bedroom carpet. It didn't work. She used a permanent marker to turn a solid-colored chair into a chair with a plaid print. Much to her pleasure, that one did work. And, one Christmas night when she was nearly 80 years old, she got injured because she was playing hide and go seek with her grandsons…in the dark…on four-wheelers. It was at that point, and maybe the only time in their 60 years of marriage, that Jim was furious with his wife.

The final chapter in JoJo's life took her to Fayetteville, AR. It was not easy for Joey to leave Harrison, but due to her health, it was a requirement. Joey's new home at Grand Village Retirement Community was the absolute perfect place for her. The proximity of a son, daughter-in-law, grandkids, and great-grandkids made the decision easier. And, of course, once she landed at Grand Village she thrived, making new friends and cherishing old friends.

As Joey's health began to decline, she was blessed with a number of incredible care givers who loved her deeply and counted "JoJo" as one of their most meaningful lifetime friendships. The final few months of Joey's life were spent at Ciel of Fayetteville, where she once again impacted everyone around her.

Joey is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Roth, and her parents. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Danny and Tammie Roth of Harrison, David and Theresa Roth of Fayetteville, and Kenny and Beverly Roth of Murray, KY. One brother, Bill and Bogie Bogner of Boulder, CO. Six grandsons, Zack and Kelsey Roth of Fayetteville, Will Roth of Fayetteville, Dylan and Bethany Roth of Nashville, TN, Jay and Savannah Roth of Houston, TX, Luke Roth of Murray, KY and Tyler Roth of Fayetteville. Great-grandkids include Aspen Roth, Levi Roth, and Ellis Roth all of Fayetteville and soon to come Elsie Lou Roth of Houston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either First Christian Church of Harrison, North Arkansas College - Jack Eldon Baker Memorial Scholarship, or Boone County Special Services.

And in honor of JoJo, may you remember: trust is your only part.

A joyful Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at First Christian Church in Harrison, AR. A visitation followed the service in the Fellowship Hall, where the family was eager to see you and hear favorite JoJo stories.

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28 Condolence(s)

Madelyn Brown

Western Grove, AR

The loss of my dear Aunt Joey is hard to reconcile, but the joy of Joey will live forever in my heart. The words written in tribute to her are spot-on and reflect perfectly her deep warmth and love for all. My childhood memories are shaped of thoughts of seeing her smile as we arrived at Harrison House--the hugs and true interest in whatever stories a 10 year old or 16 year old would share. She gave me confidence when I was unsure, she made me feel noticed and loved and important. She demonstrated grace and humor and sincerity and beauty. She wrote me a letter during a very rough part of my life that I have to this day. I always felt welcomed and loved by her, by her family, and "going to Harrison" was always the highlight of our Arkansas treks. I know Jim is so happy to have Jo by his side, and I am glad she is at peace. Thank you, Joey, for sharing your love, light and life with us. Blessings and grace to all the Roth family during this time.