Joanne Ownbey

Joanne Burnett Ownbey, 82, was born in Russellville, Arkansas, on March 8th, 1943, the middle child of Frank Priddy Burnett and Virginia Shinn Burnett. She died December 6th in Fayetteville, with her youngest daughter Lisa at her bedside. Her beloved husband, Ron, predeceased her in April.

Joanne lived almost the entirety of her life in Russellville, Arkansas, where her Shinn family settled in 1839 after leaving North Carolina. Her Burnett and Cotton family settled just across the river in Dardanelle, and both families helped to shape their communities. Joanne enjoyed tracing her genealogy and joined the Dardanelle Rock Chapter of the National Daughters of the Revolution on her Cotton line. Joanne and Ron were lovers of American History which fueled the design and decoration of their home and their travels together.

Joanne had long and deep friendships in Russellville ranging from lifelong childhood friends, her years as a member of the Junior Auxiliary, First United Methodist Church Sunday School and Circle groups, her bridge club, Book Lovers club, The Russellville Symphony Guild, PEO, DAR and others. She was missed by many when she and Ron had to make their move to Fayetteville due to health issues.

Joanne and Ron felt their greatest accomplishment in life was their family. What began as a very young couple completely on their own in life blossomed and grew to three children with families of their own; and now their grandchildren and their families. In addition to her parents and her husband, Joanne was predeceased by her brother William Bryan Burnett, her brother in law Hans Joachim Kann and her nephew David Alexander Kann. She is survived by her sister Frankie Sue Kann of Trier, Germany, her daughter Suzanne Mackey (Stuart), her son Kevin Ownbey (Holly), and her daughter Lisa Kirchner (Cliff). Grandchildren Meg Hooser (Adam), Mary Kirchner (Harrison York), Emily Claire Faubel (Christian), John Kirchner, Zach Ownbey (Hannah), Stuart Mackey (Elise Fry), and Mollie Caldera (Anthony). Great grandchildren Preston, Addison, Charlotte, Henry and baby Ownbey due in April. She is also survived by her nephews Bryan Burnett, Darren Burnett, and sister-in-law Sylvia Burnett. Her numerous Shinn and Burnett cousins will miss her as well.

Memorials may be made to River Valley Christian Clinic, 3001 East H Street, Russellville, AR 72802, First United Methodist Church of Russellville, or Manna House, c/o First United Methodist Church, 304 S. Commerce Ave., Russellville, AR 72801.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Ciel of Fayetteville, and Good Shepherd In Home Senior Care of Springdale for the loving care they gave to Joanne.

Joanne's life was celebrated on Tuesday, December 9th with a family burial in Oakland Cemetery, The Rev Dr. Tony Griffin officiating. As she often said, "Let's not make a fuss."