of Helena, AR

October 22, 1933 - June 26, 2024

Joe Ann Hargraves (Malnar), 90, passed away on June 26, 2024 at her home in Helena, AR. She was born on October 22,1933 in Shreveport, LA to Leo and Mary Malnar.

Joe Ann was a long-time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and in more recent years, St. John's Episcopal Church in Helena. She was very dedicated to the renovation and life of the Helena Museum of Phillips County; she served as a board member for eighteen years and president for thirteen years. Library Hall of the Helena Museum was dedicated and named in her honor as Joe Ann Hargraves Hall in 2023. She was also honored in 2014 as Phillips County Citizen of the Year.
Joe Ann will be remembered by her friends for living the phrase ''Service towards others above herself.''. ''Making such a difference in others' lives'', ''being full of pearls of wisdom'' and her pouring of love into the hearts of her family and friends'' are also how people will remember her.

She loved being with her friends and acquaintances, whether it was lunch at the Pillow-Thompson House, playing a hand of bridge, shopping or social events. Her smile and kind gestures lit up the room wherever she entered!
Joe Ann and her late husband, Richard, traveled the world for over fifty years. During their travels, some of her experiences she often bragged about included riding an elephant in Malaysia and a camel in Egypt, climbing the Great Wall of China and even holding an alligator in Cuba (''it was a small one!'').

Joe Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Harrison Hargraves. She leaves to carry on her gracious legacy to her daughters, Mary Ann Hargraves of Helena, AR and Susanne Gentry (Curtis) of Memphis, TN; as well as a Goddaughter, Kristin Bettis (Adam) of Southaven, MS. She has four grandchildren, Tripp Hollowell (Katie), Mary Elizabeth Lay (Jackson), Grant Gentry and Will Gentry.

Joe Ann has five great-grandsons, Davis Graham, Hughes Flynn, Mills Morgan and John Collins Hollowell as well as Grayson Oxford Bettis. Her dear cousin, Jeff Bradley of Huntsville, TX survives her, as well as two very loved ''bonus'' daughters, Charlotte Cannon and Jamie Leppert.

Joe Ann's life will be celebrated by Reverend Ray Brown, Father Ed Graves and Reverend Joe Porter at St. John's Episcopal Church in Helena on July 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Joe Ann will be laid to eternal rest in the family plot at Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena.

Memorials may be made to Helena Museum of Phillips County, PO Box 38, Helena, AR, 72342; St. John's Episcopal Church, PO Box 770, Helena, AR, 72342 or Subiaco Academy, 405 N. Subiaco Avenue, Subiaco, AR, 72865.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
508 East Plaza Street
West Helena, AR  72390
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com