Joan Rainbolt

Monday, November 10, 2014
Joan Rainbolt

Joan Rainbolt, 72, of Mountain View, Ark., passed away Nov. 6, 2014, at Stone County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mountain View after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Joan was born to the late Grey and Gledis (Woods) Hester on Feb. 11, 1942, in Leachville. She earned a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She was a well-respected special education teacher at Rector High School many years before teaching first grade for 14 years at Mountain View Elementary School where she retired. Her life's work was working with children, and she loved being a teacher.

Joan loved good food and shopping in Branson. She enjoyed Elvis, reading, and walking with friends. She was a kind, giving person and never met a stranger.

Joan was an active member of First Baptist Church in Mountain View where she loved taking care of babies in the church nursery.

Joan is survived by husband, Gerald Rainbolt of the home; one son, Gerry Rainbolt and wife Sherry of Flippin; two grandchildren, Trace and Trevor Rainbolt whom she loved dearly and brought her great joy. Many extended family and friends also survive Joan.

Gerald and Joan recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.

She was preceded in death by parents, Grey and Gledis (Woods) Hester, and one sister, Sharlene Threlkeld.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at First Baptist Church in Mountain View with Brother Ray Brown officiating.

Interment was at Flatwoods Cemetery in Mountain View.

Pallbearers were Trace Rainbolt, Trevor Rainbolt, Bob Rainbolt, Mike McConnell, Ted Anderson and Jim McCarn.

In honor of Joan's love of teaching, reading and learning, memorials can be made by a gift of books to Mountain View Elementary School in Mountain View.