Obituaries

Eleanor Brown Joerden

Photo of Eleanor Brown Joerden
Eleanor Brown Joerden, 75, a longtime resident of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, passed away Monday, August 29, 2011, and flew on the wings of angels to be with our Lord. She was born on July 26, 1936 in Bastrop, Louisiana and soon moved to Georgetown, South Carolina where she grew up. After having graduated from Winyah High School, she completed her college education at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In later years, she attained her Masters degree from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. As an education professional, she served many roles throughout life. In addition to being principal of a Georgetown County Middle School, she followed her passion for teaching the deaf at Poe Elementary School in Houston, Texas, and was employed many years in the Pine Bluff and White Hall school districts as a speech therapist. Eleanor was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff, where she was married nearly 49 years ago to Larry Knox Joerden on October 6, 1962. Over the years her strong faith and dedication to her church was evident in her daily activities. Her favorite hobby and pastime was the study of birds and watching them in their habitat. An untold number of days in her life were spent on birding trails with guides in hand, identifying an endless number of birds. However, her favorite perch was on the bank of Lake Chicot in Lake Village. Eleanor carried spirit of adventure throughout her life. She enjoyed wildlife photography and even obtained her pilots license. Her numerous active memberships in various organizations included: Master Gardener, P.E.O., Mathontes, Sesame, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Audubon Society, Local 3-Rivers Audubon Society, Jefferson County Genealogical Society, Jefferson County Historical Society, Delta Kappa Gamma, Bible Study Fellowship and the First Presbyterian Women's Board. Mrs. Joerden was preceded in death by her parents, John Thomas Brown and Emma Mae Collins Brown of Bastrop, Louisiana. Along with her husband, Larry Knox Joerden, she is survived by a brother, Thomas Collins Brown of Texarkana, Texas; son, John Knox Joerden of Hot Springs, Arkansas; daughter, Rebecca Joerden Farmer, her husband, Rodney Mitchum Farmer and their daughter, Emma Arden Farmer, all of Prague, Czech Republic; and nephew, Colin Anthony Brown of Texarkana. The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful staff of Arkansas Hospice for their gentle professionalism and for lovingly embracing our whole family as though we were their own during the last days with our loved one. It is with heartfelt gratitude that we thank you. A celebration of Eleanor's life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 1, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Lance Clemmons officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. Eleanor has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, 717 West 32nd Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 or Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Mail Slot #623, 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. We will always remember her for the love and understanding she offered her family and friends. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Published August 31, 2011

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