Jo Noel

(From Simpson Funeral  Home)

Dorothy Joan “Jo” Noel, age 89, passed away peacefully in Joplin, Missouri, on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, surrounded by family and love. She was born on July 10, 1931, to Lloyd and Dorothy Young in Joplin, Missouri, and was one of five siblings along with Bob Young, Bill Young, Betty (Young) Ely and Linda (Young) Halladay. 

Jo graduated from high school in Hiwasse, Arkansas, in 1949, but not before taking a trip the summer before on a bus by herself to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to visit family and to help in their local-owned restaurant. Such was her sense of adventure and life. 

In May, 3 1950, Jo married Ronald Gene Noel, and they were happily married for 39 years before his untimely passing in 1989. They picked apples in Washington State immediately after marriage before returning home a year later. They had four children, Diana (McCormack) Noel, Randy Noel, Stan Noel, and David Noel. Her children and grandchildren were the highlights of her life, and she was Grandma Jo or Aunt Jo to so many people extending beyond her family.

Ron and Jo were active in the Carl Junction Christian Church for a number of years, and together owned and ran the Carl Junction Meat Market for several years in the 1980s. Jo was a breakfast cook at Ozark Christian College before her retirement in the late 90s; upon retirement, she became involved in the Carl Junction Senior Citizens’ Center, and spent her days laughing, playing bingo, and enjoying her time with her friends and family. 

Jo was a dynamic woman, whose heart was full of love and compassion. She put others before herself all too often. She learned to drive in her 50s, visited Israel with her daughter in 1985, loved music and the hymns she learned as a child, and made the best roast and noodles you ever tasted. Jo was so loved and possessed the most memorable, unique laugh any who met her will remember, and you would be hard pressed to find a person who would speak ill of her. Such was her kindness to all she touched, and she will be missed. 

Jo is survived by children Diana McCormack, Stan Noel, and David Noel; six grandchildren, Ron Clements, Matt Clements, Nathan Noel, Alissa Noel, Jeremy Noel, and Angela Noel; 6 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; her extended family and cherished friends. 

A family service and a celebration of life will be held on a later date at Dug Hill Cemetery in Bella Vista, Arkansas. 

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.