JoAn McDonald

JoAn Mary McDonald, 77, of Van Buren, beloved mother and “mammaw”, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Monday, June 15, 2015. She was born August 18, 1937 in Cedarville, AR to the late Robert Wesley and Anna Holder Rice. She worked as an LPN for 28 years at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Van Buren. She was a born caregiver and devoted her life to caring for other people. She loved flowers and growing things and was an avid gardener until her last days. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther L. (Mack) McDonald; a daughter, Mary Lou Donaldson; and a brother, Bobby Bruce Rice, all of Van Buren.

She is survived by her daughter Laura White and husband Buddy of Van Buren; a sister, Barbara McDaniel of Fort Smith; six grandchildren, Bethany Donaldson and husband Joey Myers, Kristin Picco and husband Christopher, Ashlea Joyce and husband Taylor, Jonathan Roberts, Nicholas Roberts, and Ryan White all of Van Buren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 12:30 p.m. Thursday June 18, 2015 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Johnathan Roberts, Nicholas Roberts, Christopher Picco, Robert McDaniel, Taylor Joyce, and Joey Myers.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.