Florence Joan Chidester

Florence Joan Stockdill Chidester, 83, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016. She was born on November 26, 1932 to the late Frank Thomas Stockdill Jr. and the late Eugenia Elizabeth Bittinger in Grady, Arkansas. She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Baldwin and Thomasine Wilson; brothers, F.T. Stockdill III and Robert Stockdill. Joan loved spending time with her family and friends. She was also a religious education director at various military bases and was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church of Jacksonville for over 35 years. She leaves behind her husband, James Chidester; seven children, Chris Chidester (Becky), Gary Chidester (Maria Pia), Dolores Stegall (Larry), Diana Chidester, Jim Chidester, Joe Chidester (Ming) and Karen Keefe; fourteen grandchildren, Nathan (Danielle), Jessica, Valerie, Marc, Shawn, Scott, Kyle, Natalie, Megan, Jason, Jacob, Shannon, and Kevin; six great-grandchildren, Zack, Faith, Mackenzie, Nicholas, Michael and Julie; one great-great-grandchild, Bently; one sister, Dorothy Russell and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A visitation and rosary will be held on Wednesday, April 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Mass will be held on Thursday, April 7 at 10 a.m. at St. Jude with interment at Grady Cemetery to follow at 3 pm in Grady, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Grady Cemetery, P.O. Box 181, Grady, Arkansas 71644. Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street Jacksonville. www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.