Joann C. Humphrey

Born on August 14, 1936, on a family farm in Clermont, Iowa, Joann was shaped by farm life and rural schools, including two memorable years attending a traditional one-room country schoolhouse. Her farm chores included egg gathering twice a day, “getting the cows” for evening milking, and occasionally driving a tractor. With no TV, she and her siblings were a tight-knit team enthusiastically sharing both work and play, with Monopoly games sometimes spanning many days. She carried the enduring values, quiet dignity, and grace of her rural Midwestern roots throughout her entire life, possessing a soft-spoken, angelic spirit paired with a fierce inner strength.

In 1956, a handsome young Army officer named Paul swept her off her feet, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned nearly seven decades until his passing in 2024. As an Army wife, Joann embraced the life of service, leaving her small Iowa hometown to see the world. Together, they made homes in Germany and Panama, as well as duty stations in Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Virginia and Texas, before their assignment at Fort Chaffee brought them to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where they permanently made their home.

Her quiet resilience shone brightest during Paul’s three combat tours in Southeast Asia. While he served overseas, Joann gracefully anchored the home front, handling every challenge with poise, grit, and independence. She was fiercely determined that her children grow up self-reliant, believing deeply in the power of education so each could build their own lives and raise their own families—no apron strings attached. She also encouraged her children to participate in numerous activities including piano, band, drama, dance, and sports. Her calm, practical problem-solving was legendary: when an unwelcome colony of bats took up residence in the house while Paul was deployed, Joann didn’t panic—she simply called her brother Bobby, inviting him over for a hearty homemade breakfast with the casual condition that he help remove the stray intruders first.

Parallel to her devotion to her family, Joann built a respected 20-year career in civil service, beginning in Texas and concluding in Fort Smith. Joann also believed in giving back, volunteering in numerous capacities throughout her life, including many years serving at the Sparks Hospital gift shop. A woman of sharp intellect and patience, she shared a lifelong passion for Bridge alongside Paul, leading their local bridge club for years, competing nationwide at the Life Master level, and always taking the time to teach and mentor newcomers.

Her heart was firmly anchored in the Gospel. A longtime, faithful member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, her faith in God guided every chapter of her life. Christmas and Easter were the pinnacles of her year, joyfully celebrating the birth and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. She enjoyed holiday traditions and curating her collections of Beanie Babies and Hummel figurines.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lt. Col. Paul Humphrey, and her sister, Lavonne Nelson. Joann is survived by her loving children: daughter Debbie Lane and husband Robert of Haines City, Florida; daughter Donna Rogers and husband Scotty of Shreveport, Louisiana; daughter Barbara Fox and husband Terry of Greenwood, Arkansas; and son David Humphrey and wife Alice of Van Buren, Arkansas. She leaves behind a cherished legacy in her six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, as well as her surviving siblings: Laverne Swenson, Bobbie Swenson, Carol Berg, Margie Appelman, and Bonnie Stevens; along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on November 3, 2026, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, with funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Richard Davenport officiating. She will be laid to rest alongside her beloved Paul at the Fort Smith National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, or to the Methodist Village Senior Living Foundation.

Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith. To view the online guestbook, please go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.