Joanna Willson

Joanna Muse Willson of North Little Rock, AR passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2016 surrounded by her family. Joanna was born June 11, 1934 in El Dorado, AR to Moses Preston Muse, Jr. and Nancy Leake Muse. After graduating from Junction City, AR High School she married the love of her life, Robert Willson on November 23, 1955. She received a Home Economics degree from Louisiana Tech University and used this knowledge throughout her life in many of her pursuits. In 1975 they moved to North Little Rock where she received a music theory degree and taught private piano lessons for many years. Joanna was a devoted wife and mother and through her volunteerism put others before herself. She was a lifetime Master Gardener and spent many hours in her garden as well as the Rose Garden at her church and volunteering in other gardens wherever she was needed. Other activities that she enjoyed were teaching Sunday school, crafting with the church craft group, and participating as a member of the Pastoral Care Team at First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock. She was also a passionate tour guide for Heifer International. For exercise and enjoyment Joanna was an avid swimmer and walker. Preceding her in death were her parents, sisters-in-law Mary Beck, and Carolyn Muse, brothers-in-law Bill Willson and Jim Willson. To cherish her memory is her husband Robert, son Stephen Robert Willson and wife Betty of Lafayette, Georgia, daughter Christi Ann Willson and wife Veronica Battaglia of North Little Rock, brother Thomas Preston Muse and wife Janna of Dallas, TX, sister Nancy Browne and husband Glenn of Tyler, TX, grandchildren Cole and Francesca Willson of North Little Rock, Tasha Brown and Jessica Mitchell of Georgia, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Bobby Weatherford, Dave Gales, Winston Vines, Jerry Waymack, Gene Crouch, and Charles Nix. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 6701 J.F.K. Blvd, North Little Rock, AR 72116. Services will be held at 10:00 am on August 11, 2016 at First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Grissard Cemetery, El Paso, AR at 1:00pm. Memorial donations may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202, First United Methodist Church, 6701 J.F.K. Blvd, North Little Rock, AR 72116.