Joann Bennett

Joann Bennett, 78, of Witter, Arkansas, passed away on March 12, 2026, at Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. Born on June 19, 1947, near Pettigrew, Arkansas, she was the ninth of twelve children born to Oscar and Georgia Seals Williams.

Joann graduated from Saint Paul High School in 1965. She married Glen Bennett on April 15, 1966, and together they made their home near Boston in a house built by Glen and his father Otto with help from other family members. Faithful members of the Church of Christ at New Home, they spent over 40 years raising chickens and beef and dairy cattle. Their marriage lasted 47 years until Glen’s passing on March 31, 2014.

Joann was a devoted mother to Tamera, Tina, and Brian, and a cherished Nonnie to her grandchildren. She found great joy in reading, a love she passed on to her children and grandchildren, and became an accomplished cook, gardener, and seamstress. She lovingly sewed dresses and clothes for her daughters and granddaughters, created fabric books for the little ones, and took special delight in hot tea, ice cream, and her extensive shoe collection. After Glen was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1981, Joann cared for him with unwavering dedication for many years, enabling him to remain at home until the end. Her quiet strength and selfless love for her family were evident in everything she did, especially in her delight at becoming a great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Glen Bennett, and siblings Dale (Juanita) Williams, Imogene (Ronnie) Jeffers, Pauline (Jim) Weygandt, Wilma (Frank) Hackler, Wayne (Barbara) Williams, and Sharon (Lloyd) Haught, as well as in-laws Otto and June Bennett, Fern and Doug Thornberry, and Calvin Bennett. She is survived by her children Tamera (Joe) Richardson, Tina (Chance) Bryant, and Brian (DeeDee) Bennett; grandchildren Claudia (Philip) Richardson, Brianna (Justin) Burgess, Claire (Blake) Richardson, Bayleigh Bryant, Paden Bennett, Paige Bennett, Layton (Aubrie) Bennett, and Kinley Bennett; great-grandsons Baylor and Asher Burgess; siblings Deana (Dennis) Brewster, Rowena Smith, Roger (Bessie) Williams, Jackie (Johnny) Williams, and Randy Williams; and in-laws Janice and Herby Jordan and Linda Bennett, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and church family.