Patsy Jo Stone Pipkin

Patsy Jo Stone Pipkin, 88, of Searcy, Arkansas, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away January 14, 2024.  Patsy was born April 27, 1935, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Joe and Ione Dean Stone.  Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her sisters Jane Elizabeth Stone Hall and Brenda Stone Trimble and brother Col. Steven Joe Stone.  Left to celebrate her life are her husband of 68 years, Bill Pipkin, of Searcy, two sons David Pipkin of Little Rock, Jeff Pipkin (Jo-Gina) of Greers Ferry, grandson Alexander Pipkin (Lauren), granddaughter Rachel Pipkin Harville (Michael), and great-grandchildren Jace Pipkin, Valerie Jo Pipkin, Hollis Harville and Higden Harville; and sister-in-law Sara Stone.

Patsy worked 25 years in administration for the Bald Knob Schools and was a prolific writer.  Her work appeared in the White County Citizen and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as well as numerous other newspapers and magazines.  Patsy published four books and collaborated on Searcy, Images of America.  Other books included her essays about the South. 

Patsy was a long-time member of Central Baptist Church of Bald Knob and more recently First Presbyterian Church of Searcy. 

Patsy graduated from the University of Central Arkansas at age 52 and encouraged others to continue their education regardless of age.

A visitation will be held prior to the funeral service on Wednesday, January 24th from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., in the Chapel at Smith Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W Dewitt Henry Dr., Beebe.    The funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Burial to follow at Antioch Cemetery, Beebe.

Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116, or at www.arkansashospice.org/foundation/donate