Joanna Melton Fendley, age 69, of Fendley, AR, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 10, 2023. She was born on December 15, 1953, in Brawley, Imperial County, California to the late Flon and Jo Cook Melton.

Joanna spent many years in the education field, working at Arkadelphia Head Start, Arkadelphia Public School, and Kirby Public School. Her home showed her love of decorating and her joy of hosting family and friends. She also enjoyed red birds, yellow roses, butterflies, gospel music, and traveling. She was a member of Oak Grove Church in Fendley.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Flon and Jo Cook Melton, D.A. and Sue Fendley (in-laws); her grandparents, Clarence and Ruth Simmons Melton and Hubert and Carrie West Cook; her great grandparents, Edward and Ida Roberson Cook, John D. and Alma West, Frank and Alafair Dobbs Melton, and Robert and Susie Brummett Simmons; her sister, Cindy Melton Ashley; and her nephew, Joel Avery.

Joanna is survived by her husband and best friend of 50 years, Duel Fendley; daughters, Jennifer (David) Pickle of Arkadelphia and Leslie (Robert) Collins of Ozark; sons, Bryan (Felisa) Fendley of Amity and Matthew Fendley of Russellville; grandchildren, Joshua, Eric, and Samuel Pickle, Victoria and J. T. Collins, Preston Williams, Isaac and Jessalyn Fendley; four great grandsons; her siblings, Phillip (Diane) Melton of Donaldson, Jannette (Joe) Cox of Lubbock, TX, Debbie Pate of Amity, Reba Melton of Sherwood, Charla Nellis of Arkadelphia; and her Sisters of the Heart, Sue Daniel, Darlene Fendley, Jeanie Fendley, Kathy Fendley, and Carolyn Fendley Shell.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday January 13, 2023, at Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia with Bro. Kevin Moss and Bro. Johnny Jackson officiating.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at the Funeral Home.

Interment will be at Brushy Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Arkansas Breast Cancer Society or Brushy Cemetery Fund.

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.