of Plumerville, AR

November 3, 1948 - January 13, 2026

Jo Ann Campbell, 77, of Plumerville, Arkansas, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 13, 2026. Her life was beautifully marked by faith, love, and quiet strength. Jo Ann lived in devoted service to God and others, and her deep faith was reflected in her kindness, patience, and gratitude through every season of life. She believed deeply in the power of prayer and the comfort of God's promises, freely sharing that hope with others. Her faith guided her life and relationships, and her heart belonged first to God and then to those she loved. Family and friends were the center of her world, and her home was always a place of warmth, welcome, and thoughtful beauty in every season.

She was born on November 3, 1948, in Crossett, Arkansas, to Joseph Washington ''J.W.'' Brown, Jr. and Patsy ''Pat'' Ann Brown-Cockrell. Her parents farmed land in the Portland Bottoms near Parkdale in Ashley County. When Jo Ann was four years old, the family sold their South Arkansas farm and relocated to Conway, Arkansas, where they purchased farmland in the Lollie Bottoms. There, they became a respected and successful farm family in Faulkner County and beyond.

Jo Ann attended Conway Public Schools and graduated from Conway High School in 1966. She earned a scholarship to Petit Jean Vocational-Technical School in Morrilton, Arkansas, where she studied business, accounting, and banking, graduating in 1968. After a brief internship, she began her career at First National Bank of Conway, later known as Regions Bank.

In 1972, Jo Ann moved with her husband and two young sons to Fairbanks, Alaska, with a brief stay in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. While attending First Baptist Church of Fairbanks in 1973, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, was baptized, and received the Holy Spirit into her heart,a moment that forever shaped her life and faith.

Following the completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in 1977, the family relocated to Ketchikan, Alaska. Drawn by her desire to remain close to family, Jo Ann returned to Conway with her sons, while her husband continued working in Alaska on a three-month-on, one-month-off schedule. Settling back into Arkansas, Jo Ann resumed her banking career, first at First State Bank of Conway, and soon after returning to her beloved First National Bank of Conway.

In 1979, Jo Ann and her family were joyfully blessed with the arrival of a much-anticipated daughter, a moment that brought great happiness and fulfillment to her life. With the same devotion she gave to her family, Jo Ann continued to grow professionally at the bank, working as a Check Proofing Operator and in the Bookkeeping Department, where colleagues quickly became lifelong friends. She was later promoted to Manager of the Check Proofing Department and ultimately advanced to Officer of the Bank, overseeing the Industrial Branch with integrity, diligence, and grace.

During the 1980s, Jo Ann became a devoted member of Beta Sigma Phi of Conway, where she formed lifelong friendships and remained active for more than 30 years. She was later selected by her sorority to represent them in Altrusa International, Xi Gamma Epsilon, a global service organization focused on community improvement through leadership and education. In 1994, she was chosen to participate in the Leadership Academy of Faulkner County (now the Conway Area Leadership Institute).

A devoted Arkansas Razorback basketball fan, Jo Ann, could most often be found passionately cheering on her team courtside or from home. She also enjoyed ''retail therapy'' at arts and crafts festivals, especially the War Eagle Fair, alongside cherished friends, family, and sorority sisters.

In 1987, Jo Ann and her husband founded Heavy Duty Service, Inc., a commercial heavy equipment and tractor-trailer repair business in Conway. Through their shared leadership, the company grew into a well-established and preeminent operation throughout Central Arkansas eventually being acquired by Crane Carrier Corporation, providing the couple with greater peace of mind and long-term stability.

After nearly 30 fulfilling years in banking, Jo Ann chose to step into retirement while courageously facing breast cancer, a battle she fought and won under the compassionate care of CARTI of Conway. Following her recovery, she began a new chapter as a self-employed real estate entrepreneur, acquiring and managing rental properties throughout Faulkner County. She was later invited by the staff to return to CARTI Conway, not as a patient, but as a valued employee, where she served the organization and its lifesaving professionals for an additional ten years before retiring again. She then devoted her time to family, travel, and cherished friendships. In the spring of 2019, Jo Ann reconnected with her eldest daughter, whom she had placed for adoption in 1967.

Jo Ann was a faithful member of Plumerville Community Methodist Church, where she cultivated loving Christian relationships, found deep fellowship and purpose, and faithfully served her church family through worship, prayer, and acts of service.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Van Alton Brown; her brother-in-law, Douglas John van Venrooij; her granddaughter, Katie Rochell Williams; and her great-grandson, Forrest Cole Campbell.

She is remembered by her existing survivors: husband, Jerry Wayne Campbell of Plumerville; her sister, Cheryl Van Venrooij-Brown; her brother, Ronald Jay Brown (Tammy); her dearest friend, Barbara Smith-Marshall, all of Conway; and her loving children:

• Son: Timothy Allen Mahan (Jan)

• Daughter: Kelly Ruth Long (Kevin), grandchildren Keri Marie Sample (Chris), Sara Kay Asher (Jeremy), and Ricky Wade Mitchell (Ashley); great-grandchildren Haley Ruth Asher, Bradley Hugh Michael Asher, Kaleb Sovan Sample, Kaden Joseph Mitchell, Riley Daniel Davis Asher, Bentley Wade Mitchell, and Makenzie Raylynn Mitchell; and great-great-granddaughter Blakelynn Ruth Ann Farr

• Son: Joseph Kendall Belote (Kari), granddaughter Ellary Grace Belote

• Daughter: Kathy Gail Huett (David), grandsons Tyler Kade Huett and Ryan David Huett

• Daughter: Candy Leigh Campbell (Diane Nordelo, partner), grandson Anthony Cole Campbell (Erika ''Bryn''), and great-granddaughters Rosalie ''Rosie'' Hendrix Campbell and Delilah ''Dolly'' Ruth Campbell

• Daughter: Darbi Ann Blencowe (Paul), granddaughter Lee Ann Nicole Lawrence (Adam), and great-grandson Hunter Lawrence

• Son: Joshua Knight Campbell

A service celebrating Jo Ann's life and faith will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, with Brother Bill Haynie, Pastor of Plumerville Community Methodist Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Jo Ann's honor to the CARTI Foundation (designated to CARTI Conway) at carti.ejoinme.org/donate, or to Susan G. Komen at www.komen.org.

An online guestbook is available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway

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