of Quitman, AR
March 31, 1937 - November 19, 2024
Marjorie Joan Southerland, 87, of Quitman, AR went home to be with her Lord and Savior, while surrounded by her loved ones, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, AR.
She was born in Quitman, AR on March 31, 1937, to Joseph Harold Gresham and Muriel Elaine (Pettus) Gresham. Joan graduated Salutatorian from Quitman High School in 1955 and attended what was then Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway where she met her sweetheart, Joe. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 5 years prior to getting married in 1963. She later became a stay-at-home wife and mom while raising her 3 children. Joan began working for Roller Funeral Homes, first in England, AR and then retired from Roller-McNutt in Conway in 1996, after 6 years of service. She was an active member of Palestine Baptist Church. She loved serving her friends and family in her church as well as in her community.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her brothers, Lewis Wayne Gresham, and Roland Harold Gresham. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Arnold Joe Southerland; her daughters, Joanna Whitlatch (Jeff), Janna Maxwell (Jim), both of Jonesboro, AR and son, Jay Southerland (Stephanie) of Little Rock, AR. Nana is also survived by her 9 precious grandchildren, Collin, Carter, and Olivia Whitlatch, Kendall Martin (Will), Gresham Maxwell, and Addison, Parker, and Halle Southerland. She is also survived by her sister, Elaine Ward (Steve) and her sister-in-law, Pat Gresham, as well as many sweet nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Monday, November 25, 2024, from 9:30am - 11:00am at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, with the service beginning at 11:00am. A graveside service will follow at Pearson Cemetery in Quitman, AR.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Palestine Baptist Church, Quitman or a charity of your choice.