Joan Westbrook Hill

Joan Hill, 92 of Jonesboro, Texas passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. She spent her last days surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15 at Scott’s Funeral Home with Royce Rhoades officiating. Interment will follow at Jonesboro Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Sunday, June 14 from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Joan was born November 16, 1933, to Rube and Rhoda May Westbrook near Texarkana, Arkansas where she grew up and attended school. She graduated from Arkansas High School in 1951. She attended Texarkana Junior College and Harding College before graduating from East Texas State in 1956. After graduation she accepted the position of Assistant Home Demonstration Agent in Corsicana. She met her future husband Neil Hill, a Texas Highway Patrolman when he went into the Navarro County Extension Office to inquire about a bale of coastal Bermuda hay that was placed outside of the door. If the truth be known, he didn’t really care about the bale of hay, he just wanted to meet the new Home Demonstration Agent he had heard about. They married on May 10, 1959, in the yard of her parents’ home in Texarkana.

They resided in Corsicana when Collier was born. It was at this time that Joan decided to be a homemaker. Neil decided to take a job with Naval intelligence moving them to New Orleans for training. They moved to various places following Neil’s career, moving to Irving where Elizabeth was born. They then moved to Chula Vista, California, eventually making their way back to Texas in 1970. They made their home in San Angelo for several years before moving to Neil’s hometown of Jonesboro in 1976. Joan was involved as a member of various Home Demonstration Clubs through the years and volunteered as a Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout leader, and 4-H leader. A true homemaker at heart, she enjoyed cooking and sewing to perfection for her family. Joan poured her heart and soul into everything she did. Faith, family, and the Lord were her priorities. She shared her love of God with others and prayed for others religiously. In her Bible she kept a list of names of people she prayed for daily. She said it was an honor and privilege to be able to pray for others. She had a giving heart and freely gave to various charities such as children’s homes and underprivileged children at Indian reservations.

Joan went back to work as the Home Economics teacher at Jonesboro I.S.D. in 1978. She taught there until her retirement in 1999. During her teaching career, she had the privilege of being the advisor to several FHA (now FCCLA) area and state officers. The highlight of her career was her last year of teaching when one of her students was elected the National FHA President making Joan the National FHA Advisor to an organization of over 200,000 members. After retirement she enjoyed being a member of the Jonesboro Quilting Club making each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren a quilt. Joan may have been born an Arkansas Razorback, but she became an avid Jonesboro Eagle fan, attending sporting events from the time they moved to Jonesboro in 1976. She proudly sang harmony to the school song at every sporting event.

Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Neil Hill of 61 years; her parents; brother, Bill Westbrook and his wife, Rita; brothers-in-law, Elwood Hill, Tommy Hill, and Grady Hill; and sister-in-law, Jackie Hill.

She is survived by her son, Collier Hill and wife, Debbie; daughter, Elizabeth Hill Lord; grandchildren, Erin Lord (Jake Fisher), Ashton Lord (Roland Buckley), Jacob Lord (Havyn), Spencer Lord, Shannon Chumley, and Jacklyn McAndrew; great grandchildren, Jaxon Hobbs, Addison Buckley, Maddox Buckley, and Cohnway Buckley; brother-in-law, Bobby Hill; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Johnson, Peggy Hill, Mabel Hill and Mary Hill.

Donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 3919 E. Hwy. 84, Gatesville, TX 76528.

Our family would like to express deep gratitude to the Bluebonnet Hospice team for their care and compassion during our time of need. We would also like to thank Doris Farrar and Becky Brown for going above and beyond the realm of friendship. Your kindness is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.