Joan E. Willis Graham passed away at her home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Monday, February 17, 2020. She died after a long illness at age 77. She is preceded in death by her parents Elston and Arlene Willis of DeAnn, Arkansas.

Joan was born in Hope, Arkansas on January 20, 1943 and was a 1961 graduate of Hope High School. She went on to receive a BA Degree in Education from Arkansas State University. Joan taught high school English, History and Literature at West Jefferson High in Gretna, Louisiana and Elsik High School in Houston, Texas until she was able to retire gracefully. She was adored by her students and teaching them was her pride. She also spent 10 years as a resident of the U.K., Scandinavia and Europe, where she became very active in the community.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Charles G. Graham of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; one son, Glenn G. Graham of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; one daughter, Carrie Perkins of Fort Mill, South Carolina; one grandson, Nicholas G. Perkins of Charlotte, North Carolina; three siblings, Becky Chenoweth of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Dick Willis of Arkadelphia, Arkansas and Calvin Willis of Narco, California.

Visitation will begin 1:00pm Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home in Hope, Arkansas until service time at 2:00pm in the Chapel. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery with David Porterfield officiating under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home.Sign our online guestbook at www.herndonfuquafuneralhomes.com