Joan Richardson Oates was born December 10th, 1931 to Joseph Tillman Richardson and Grady Geneva McBroom Richardson, and she died September 4th, 2019 in Benton, AR. She grew up in Cookeville, then in Nashville, TN where she met Jarvis Clifton Oates when they were students at Trevecca Nazarene College in 1948. They were married June 20th, 1949, and had 3 children. Judy Machen (Tom), Donald Steven, and Susan Massey (Mike). She was preceded in death by her husband J.C., her son Don, son in law Mike, and her granddaughter Taylor Rene'Massey. She is survived by, including but not limited to, daughters Judy and Susan; grandchildren Ashley McCoy (Blaine), Elizabeth LeAnn Bethke (Kevin), Allison Hatfield (Matt), Seth Massey, Joanna Massey, Steven Machen (Tiffany), and Rebecca Massey Scalf (Brandon); and great grandchildren Jackson McCoy (Maria), Mikayla Jenkins, Mason Burger, Hudson Reyer, Taylor Elizabeth Massey, Bentley Scalf, Emma Massey, Maddie Machen, Ezra Hatfield and Lincoln Machen.

Memorial services will be Saturday morning , November 23,2019, at Hughes Cemetery at 11:00am with Tom Machen officiating.

Morgan Funeral Home of Forrest City and Heirloom Funeral Services of Marianna are in charge of services.