Jocelyn Ophelia Cash-Hurst

On Monday, March 25, 2024, Jocelyn Ophelia Cash-Hurst peacefully passed into eternal rest with her loving family by her side. She was born on August 20, 1951 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late William K. Hannah, and Jesteen Ophelia (Johnson) Hannah. 

Jocelyn grew up in the Ralph Bunche community of Benton. She graduated from Benton High School in 1969. She attended Hendrix College and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration later in life, in 1994, from Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. Jocelyn went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University at Montgomery.

Jocelyn worked in the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service. She worked as a personnel officer for two national forests – the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego and the National Forests for Alabama Supervisor’s Office in Montgomery. After the sudden death of her husband, Bedford Cash, Jocelyn retired and dedicated her life to serving others. She served as the executive director of the Montgomery Transportation Coalition to provide affordable and accessible transportation throughout Montgomery, Alabama. She also worked as the director of SAFY of Alabama, providing family support and behavioral health services to Alabama families.

Jocelyn demonstrated her passion for literacy advocacy working as a GED instructor and adult literacy teacher at Trenholm Technical College.

It was in Montgomery, where she met, Norman Hurst, her devoted and loving husband of 20 years. Norman is a gospel minister and a retired teacher. They shared a special desire to teach the gospel and pursued missionary work in Wyoming. They worked with the Dubois Church of Christ in Dubois, Wyoming for five years and enjoyed the many loving and valued friendships during their mission work. They moved back to Benton in 2010 to be closer to her aged parents. Jocelyn was a fearless leader and served as council member for three years on the Benton City Council, serving the Ralph Bunche Community. She worked faithfully in the church, along with her husband, at Northside Church of Christ and Johnson Street Church of Christ and continued to teach adult literacy.

Jocelyn was a perennial learner and was eager to share her skills and knowledge with others. She received her certification for American Sign Language from the Maryland School for the Deaf and taught students and teachers sign language. She served as a host to international students; and had a passion for helping those in need. Jocelyn loved to sew, do needlepoint, and recently began learning pottery making. But her special joy was spending time with her loving husband and three remarkable sons and their families. She was a proud mom and glowed when sharing their latest adventures. She also enjoyed special moments with her siblings, extended family and friends and being with her adorable and treasured grandchildren.

In addition to her late father, she was preceded in death by two husbands: William Lewis Williamson and Bedford Von Cash; two brothers: Gregory & Kirk Hannah, her grandparents: Nathaniel & Arey Hannah and Julius & Flossie Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her memory; her devoted husband and best friend, Norman Hurst of Benton, AR; her loving mother, Jesteen Hannah of Benton, AR; three sons: William (Donna) Cash of Denver, CO; Chad (Wendy) Cash Williamson of Charlotte, NC; Bedford (Sarah) Cash of Atlanta, GA; Children from her blended family: Norman (Johnethia) Hurst, III; Cherlyn (David) Poole; Kimberlyn (Willie) Stewart of Montgomery, AL; and Wendy (Sebastian) Benson of Arlington, VA. Her legacy includes ten grandchildren: Destinee Brewer- Cash; Ian and Chase Williamson; Camryn, Danielle, Bedford, III, and Aaron Cash; David Allen Poole; and Lauren and Seth Stewart and one great-grandchild: Imani Sade Blade. She is also survived by her three sisters Wanda (Samuel) Calvin of Benton, AR; Cynthia Hodges of North Little Rock, AR; and Jennifer Hannah of Washington, D.C; two devoted sisters-in-law, Brenda Hurst-Richey of Montgomery, AL; and Maxine Hannah of Hot Springs, AR; devoted uncle, Parnell (Annie Mae) Hannah of Alexander, AR; other extended family and friends: Vanilla Hannah, Dianne (James) Butler, a special cousin, Rosie Griffin, the Williamson family, the Cash family, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Services held at Johnson Street Church of Christ in Benton on Saturday, April 13, with visitation held from 11:00 AM - Noon, followed by memorial service at Noon.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.