JoAnn Rathbun

JoAnn Rathbun, 87, of Hackett, Arkansas passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023 in Fort Smith. She was born April 10, 1936 in Hackett, Arkansas to Floyd Thompson and Elsie (Roberts) Sandlin. JoAnn graduated from The University of Arkansas in order to prepare for her career teaching elementary aged children. She retired from Fort Smith Public Schools after teaching nineteen years.

She is survived by her husband, David L. Rathbun; two sons, David M. Rathbun and wife, Keri of Greenwood and John R. Rathbun and wife, Misty of Greenwood; one daughter, Laura E. Harris and husband, Dan of Wichita, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Matthew Thompson, Brinnon Rathbun, Ethan Rathbun, Brittany Rathbun, Russell Rathbun, Lauren Rathbun, Alex Rathbun and Easton Rathbun; two great grandchildren, Alayna Thompson and Lyla Thompson and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister, Geraldine Smith.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 5 at the Hackett United Methodist Church with burial at Mountain View Cemetery in Hackett under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Monday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Thompson, Brinnon Rathbun, Ethan Rathbun, Russell Rathbun, Alex Rathbun and Robert Rathbun.

To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.