Juanita Yates Thomasson

Juanita Yates Thomasson, 73, owner of the McNutt House Bed and Breakfast in Arkadelphia, Ark., died Thursday, July 15, 2010. She was born July 6, 1937, in Bismarck, Ark., to E. D. and Grace Yates. After graduating from Bismarck High School and St. Joseph School of Nursing, she served as director of nurses in Clark County Memorial Hospital, and later as school and county health nurse in Arkadelphia. She retired from the Western Arkansas Co-op where she served as a migrant school nurse for many years. In 1960, she married Jerry Thomasson, a member of the Arkansas Legislature and an administrative law judge. She and Jerry called Arkadelphia home for several years. After living in Little Rock and Louisiana, they settled in Fort Smith, Ark., and resided there for more than 30 years. They came back home to Arkadelphia upon their retirements. After Jerry's death, she sought a new career of being the proud owner and innkeeper of the McNutt House Bed and Breakfast in Arkadelphia. Every guest came as a stranger and left as her friend. A member of First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia, she is predeceased by husband Jerry, her parents; and five brothers. Survivors are her son, Bryan Thomasson (Shannon); grandchildren Will and Sophie; her daughter Grace Ann Weber (Jeff); grandchildren Noah and Sara. Sisters Bess Jackson (Ken) of Bismarck; and Vera Downs (Bill) of Arkadelphia. Family will receive visitors at the McNutt House Bed and Breakfast, 817 McNutt St. in Arkadelphia, on Sunday, July 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. After a private burial at DeRoche Cemetery in Bismarck, under the direction of Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, a memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, at 2 p.m. Monday, July 19, 2010, Dr. Lee McGlone officiating. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.ruggleswilcox.com. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org), American Cancer Society or Hospice Home Care 2200 S. Bowman Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72211