of Harrison, AR

October 10, 1934 - June 10, 2022

Jo Anna Cantrell Cartwright, 87, of Valley Springs passed away Friday, June 10, 2022, at Hillcrest Home. She was born on October 10, 1934.

Jo Anna had a long career as the Director of North Arkansas Transit System (NATS), retiring in 2019 after approximately 37 years of service. She was elected to the Arkansas Transit Association in 1990 and served as a Board Secretary for six years and the Association President from 1996 to 1998. Jo Anna also served for two years on the Board of Directors of Southwest Transit Association. She was very passionate about her work and valued those working with her. Jo Anna was well known in the public transit systems of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Jo Anna loved to travel but also enjoyed sitting on her porch watching the hummingbirds. She was very fond of her faithful companion Sneakers (a chocolate lab) and often considered her as one of her children. Jo Anna always looked forward to her yearly "girls" trips of shopping in Branson and her visits to Graceland. She liked doing crossword puzzles and was an avid reader. Jo Anna had a passion for mysteries, especially murder mysteries. She loved Nancy Drew and was a big fan of Perry Mason. Above all, Jo Anna loved spending time with her family, especially during the holidays. She loved it when everyone would come to visit her.

Jo Anna is survived by her children; John (Brenda) Cartwright of Many, Louisiana, Carol (Lyle) Godfrey of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Stephenia (Mike) Henderson of Nixa, Missouri, Gerald (Shari) Cartwright of Everton, Arkansas; sisters, Frankie Smith, Martha Albright (Bill) and brother, Steve (Glenda) Cantrell of Western Grove. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Walter Gordon Cartwright; her parents, Hershel and Virginia (Bradford) Cantrell and her son, James Walter Cartwright.



Visitation was Friday, June 17, 2022, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

Funeral service was Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

Burial was in the Maplewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice or to Hospice of the Hills House, Harrison, AR.

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