Joan Collins Ratton

Joan Collins Ratton, of Paragould, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2022, at The Greenhouse Cottages of Belle Meade in Paragould, Arkansas. Joan was 89 years of age and a life-long resident of Paragould. She was born October 17, 1932, to Orris F. and Frances Neely Collins. In 1952, she married Ralph Robert Ratton.

She is survived by her five children, Donna (Preston) Bland, Diane (Bill) Brewer, Lanie (Tim) Mangrum, Carol (Doug) Vail all of Paragould, and Rob (Heather) Ratton of Newport, Arkansas; brother, John (Rose Ann) Collins of Chesterfield, Missouri; grandchildren, Rob (Gina) Bland, Neely (Britt) Camp, Ali (Casey) Bean, Will (Meredith) Brewer, Dr. Shaw Brewer, Erin (Reja) Ferdowsi, Will Mangrum (fiancée, Sarah Beth Deweese), Katherine (Patrick) Kelly, Caroline Vail, Dr. Abby (Bradley) Isbell, Loren Ratton, Lilly McQuay, Eden McQuay, and Bella Brady; special friend and caregiver, Brenda Reed; son-in-law, Ed Gathings; special nieces and nephews, Andy Fulkerson, Ricky Fulkerson, David Fulkerson, Bonida Poynor, Fritzi Janes, Pat Burns; and great-nephew, Jon Fulkerson.

She was preceeded in death by her parents, Orris F. and Frances Neely Collins; husband, Dr. Ralph Robert Ratton; grandson, Joseph Scott Payne; twin granddaughters, Mary Frances and Joan Carol Mangrum; sister, Pat Fulkerson; aunt, Mary Alice Parkhurst; sister-in-law, Betty Ross Hyde; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ralph Robert Ratton, Sr. and Isis Coffman Ratton.

Joan was fondly known to her grandchildren as “Mama Jo”. In her early years, Joan was a busy mom raising five children. Additionally, she ran her husband’s dental office for twenty-five years. Later in life, Joan was part of the Arkansas Senate staff for eighteen years. She enjoyed this newfound work after her five children were grown, and she loved the many trips that she had with the “Senate girls".

A graveside service to celebrate Joan's life will be Saturday, July 2, 2022, at 1pm in Linwood Cemetery with Rev. Dane Womack officiating. To honor Joan, please send memorials to the Collins Theatre Foundation or the First United Methodist Church.