Joan Bazzell Brocksmith

Joan Brocksmith of Paragould died of natural causes at her home on October 16, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas H. Brocksmith, her parents, Marvin and Ollie Bazzell, and her brothers and sisters, Wanda Burstyne, Roma Dayton, and Harry Bazzell. Mrs. Brocksmith was born on July 4, 1934 and graduated from Paragould High School in 1953. Survivors include her son, T. Kevin Brocksmith and grandson, Dillion W. Brocksmith of West Memphis.
Joan was retired from Farm Bureau Insurance and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Paragould, United Methodist Women, Glenna Rose Circle, and sang in the choir. For several years she volunteered at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She became a world traveler when she accompanied her husband, a member of the US Navy, who was stationed at the Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. She visited the Great Pyramid, the Sphynx and made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Jerusalem.
After relocating to Paragould upon her husband’s retirement from military service, Joan became involved in local politics and worked on the first campaign of former Arkansas State Treasurer and former Democratic Gubernatorial candidate, Jimmie Lou Fisher.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Fleming officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist, the Witt House at 404 W. Main Street, Paragould, AR 72450 .