Joanna Rene Risser Hunter

Joanna was a unique individual who left behind two of the most precious gifts on the planet.

My sister Julie and Betsy Gilliam, Lynn and Joanna Risser worked up a musical show growing up. We had so much Fun! I will sure miss Jo!

Joanna Was a friend from the unversity of Georgia. My condolances on her passing.

I was proud to move into a new office years ago. Joanna sent an office gift. It was a beautiful Joanna made yellow surprise ball. Joanna called a few days later and was irritated that I hadn´t unraveled the surprise ball to discover the inner treasurers. I told her I couldn´t. Once it was unwrapped it was gone and I wanted to keep it. I´m so happy to have this piece of Joanna art. She was spectacular.

When I was in the fourth grade, my family moved into what was known as the
`Old McKinney House´ on W Block St.
El Dorado, Arkansas.. In the backyard
I found a tall retaining wall with a ladder up and a ladder down...into the magical world of Joanna and Lynn Risser.

Joanna was the same age as my brother, Harold.. and Lynn was my age.
Weather permitting, we were always outside exploring the nearby woods, climbing trees and having adventures of one kind and another. Sometimes we even let my little sister Donna join in the fun.

I wanted to especially say hello to Lynn and tell her how much those days meant to me. I remember a play that you wrote and probably directed on the Yocum Elementary stage.. I can´t remember the story line, but I do recall being the Statue of Liberty and having to hold up a fake torch the entire play!! I´m so sorry you have lost your sister.

My sincere sympathy to family and friends. Kay Smith Rowe

The extraordinary acceptance with which Joanna received me in her family, actually is what exemplified all that I learned she was. Sweet and full of awe, Joanna never made me feel uncomfortable. Like she wanted to open the door to let me in - so I could also know how rich and loving her family is. God bless you, Joanna - thank you for sharing. God give her rest. God give her loved ones peace.

Joanna was the first love of my life, and we were close friends for 50 years. I´ll miss her a lot. One story: we went to some party in high school for which we dressed up as Raggedy Ann and raggedy Andy. Afterward we went to a favorite parking place (all very innocent), next to a cemetery off Parnell Road west of El Dorado. Somehow I managed to get my car stuck in a ditch. We had to walk a couple of miles back toward the Wyatt Baptist Church, and knocked on the door of the first house we came to, which turned out to be that of the church´s preacher. All while dressed up in goofy costumes with giant bowties, rouge on our cheeks, etc. Not sure which set of parents we called to come get us.
She was a wonderful person.

Every day spent with Joanna was an adventure, whether it was cruising back roads picking wild flowers & blackberries or having a plowmans lunch in an obscure old cemetary steeped in history, or canoeing up to Indian Spirit Bluff on the Cossatott. I can see her in my memories now walking accross the field at River Front Circle with her tan linen skirt blowing in the soft breeze, coming to unlock the gate, welcoming us into her world, where she will forever be, Queen of the Cossatot.

She lived behind my babysitter between 2 & 3rd grade. I was shy and didn´t know anyone in the neighborhood, Joanna came over every day and made the summer so much fun and planned adventures every day with Pat McKinney who lived next door. I´ll always remember that summer with happy memories.

Our friendship started in junior high. A favorite memory from that time is stopping at the Spudnut Shop on our walk from Rogers Junior High to our Camp Fire Girls meeting. In high school, my favorite memory is talking on the landline while waiting for our song to come on the radio after one of us would have requested it. I still know the words to "Happy Together" by The Turtles. I love you, Jo!

South Arkansas Art Center

Oh what a glorious summer we had performing at Marble Falls theatre at night and playing on the lake all day! Joanna, beautiful and endlessly amusing, ruled over us all!