of Shirley, AR

February 15, 1937 - June 8, 2022

Jo Nan Harper, 85 of Shirley, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022. She was born February 15, 1937 in Heber Springs to Clyde and Clem Brown of Shirley. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Johnny Harper; her twin sister, Lou Ragsdale and her younger sister, Betty Clark. Also preceding her in death are her sons-in-law, Ricky Bane and John Evans; sisters-in-law, Ann Brown, Ollie Harper and Martha Harper; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Ragsdale, John Clark, Jr. and nephew, Matthew Clark.

A lifelong resident of Shirley, Jo Nan loved growing up in town and along the river. She attended Shirley School and after graduating in 1953, she went to Draughon School of Business in Little Rock. Jo and Johnny were married in 1958 and during their 58 year marriage they had four children. Jo put her business training to work for several years beginning as secretary for the superintendent of Van Buren County Schools, then at the first Fairfield Bay office at the Hwy 330 intersection. In 1970, she went to work for Ozark Opportunities and was the director for the local Head Start program for 30 years. Jo Nan was an entrepreneur, owning two clothing stores and a day care business. Jo Nan loved her family and loved Shirley, Arkansas.

Jo Nan is survived by her daughters, Susan Evans of Shirley, Kelly Leonard (Billy) of Bee Branch, Sandra Berry (Brian) of Shirley and her son, Shane Harper, also of Shirley; grandchildren, Lindsey Sutterfield (Matt), Lauren Sutterfield (Keaton), Benton Berry, Graysen Berry, Blair Berry, Mollie Leonard, Creed Leonard and Chase Parks; great grandchildren, Madalynn Sutterfield, Mcrae Sutterfield; one sister, Emma Hink (Dickie) of Clinton; three brothers, Benny Brown (Doris) of Shirley, Dr. Charles Brown (Jannette) of Fairfield Bay, Lane Brown of Marshall; two Brothers-in- law, Gerald Harper of Shirley and Darrell Harper of Sherwood, many friends and extended family.


Pallbearers are Benton Berry, Creed Leonard, Chase Parks, Neal Ragsdale, Scott Hink, Colton Brown and Rob Brown. Honorary Pallbearers are Gerald Harper, Jimmy Harper, Darrell Harper, Dickey Hink, Todd Hink and Jack Brown.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm 7:00 pm on Friday, June 10, 2022 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Shirley Community Church. Brother Eddie Ragsdale will officiate the service and Dr. Nicholas Clark will share the obituary. Interment will follow at Weaver Cemetery.



To express condolences online please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
Highway 65 South
Clinton, AR  72031
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com