of Searcy, AR

July 19, 1935 - January 5, 2022

JoAnn Tidwell passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2022. She was 86 years old. She was days away from celebrating 67 years of marriage to John and according to him, she was the boss for all of them. He said they were blessed to have many more highs than lows. They had long ago reached that point in life where it wasn't just ''JoAnn'' or just ''John'' . . . they were ''JoAnn & John''. Those two were attached at the hip and loved getting out of the house each day, even if just for a coffee and to check out the sale aisle at Walmart.

She adored her sons. She was so proud of them and spoke often how much it meant to her that she could rely on them for anything. They were by her side anytime she needed them. She loved her daughters-in-law and thought of them as her own daughters.
She loved people well. She always had a care package for the young people in her life and was quick to drop a note in the mail for any occasion. She loved holidays and celebrated every one of them with all kinds of themed decor. She was a queen of organization and the only hint of displeasure she ever showed her grandchildren was after getting a peek in their unruly closets or toy boxes when they were young. It was said this week that one ''never had to work to be around her'', she made everything easy. She loved having fun, playing games and delighted at toddlers. She would laugh until she cried over the things kids would say. She held on to funny moments like that and loved to retell them. She was a great listener and generously shared words of love and encouragement.

Her faith was important to her as well as being an active part of a church community. She was a member of the Missouri Street Church of Christ before moving to Searcy, AR where they attended services at Harding Place.

She was so loved and will be greatly missed. Those left behind will continue to share our love for her by carrying on the wonderful things she was to all of us. A few years ago she was asked, ''When you get to heaven, what would you hope to hear God say?'' After a pause, she simply replied, ''Welcome.'' We have no doubt that she was indeed welcomed home.

She is survived by her husband John Tidwell, and sons Mark and wife Tracy Tidwell of Conway, AR and Tony and wife Kathy of Heber Springs, AR. Also her sister Norma and husband Fred Rogers of Topeka, KS. She had 4 grandchildren; Kassy & husband Darren Eason of Benton, LA, Amy & husband Jeremy Champlin of Cabot, AR, Zach & wife Morgan Tidwell of Dewitt, AR, Ashley & husband Jonathan Shick of Paragould, AR and 6 great-grandchildren; Kaleb & Hannah Eason, Stuart, Levi & Connor Champlin and Jack Tidwell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Anna McGuire.

The funeral will be held at Roller Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, Arkansas on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, beginning at 2:00 pm. Interment will be held after the service at Crittenden Memorial Park Cemetery in Marion, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children's Home in Paragould at 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, AR 72450 or Saint Jude's Children's Hospital at Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org. Cards of encouragement can be sent to John Tidwell (c/o Mark Tidwell at 960 Woodland Cove, Conway, AR 72034).

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com