Alice Joan Pense, 94, of Springdale, passed away Friday, May 10, 2024 in Fayetteville. She was born September 18, 1929 in Winslow, AR to Henry Clay and Celesta Aslee Perkins Shipley.
She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Celesta Shipley; her husband Lee Pense (2022); 6 brothers; and 2 sisters.
Joan was a member of the Robinson Ave Church of Christ. She retired from Avon as a district manager for 70+ years. She loved flowers, reading, enjoyed music, and loved socializing with people.
She is survived by two sons, Mike Pense and wife Robin of West Fork and Tim Pense and fiancé Sheila of Fayetteville; two sisters, Kay Prior of Springdale and Henrietta Brookshire of Riverside, CA; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Beard’s Chapel.
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Beard’s Chapel with Minister Keith Kilmer officiating. Interment will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery
We love you very much Mrs. Joan and you will be so missed. My love goes out to family and friends I am deeply sorry for your loss.
I cannot bring myself to say “goodbye” to Aunt Joan, so I prefer to keep my wonderful memories alive and well! My first road trip was from our home in Torrance to Porterville… a little 2 lane highway in the early 1950’s… arriving in the middle of the night to see Lee and Joan waiting with hugs. On later visits,, Aunt Joan always updated us with the latest Avon products, and how to behave like “young ladies.” I loved our conversations of recent years, and all of her stories of her past. I am so happy to have the “biography” she sent a few years ago entitled “My Story of Growing Up In Winslow.” My favorite parts are her descriptions of the happiness she found in the simplest things: “Can you imagine 10 pieces of candy for 1 cent from the candy store?” “There was a swing hanging from the front porch; we would pretend we were on a train or airplane.” “having slumber parties in the ballroom of the abandoned private girls school… sliding on the floor.” “There wasn’t many toys, so we invented our own fun.” Aunt Joan described her grandmother as a bit “superstitious. Her grandmother told her “if you look in the well at exactly noon you will see the face of the man you will marry.” I am absolutely certain Aunt Joan saw the face of Uncle Lee. Now they are together again, and they will always be in my heart!
Aunt Joan was a gracious lady who lived a long and eventful life. It was always a pleasure to visit she and Uncle Lee (my mother’s brother) whenever we were able to visit Arkansas. She was very articulate and it was a joy to read her descriptions of “growing up in Winslow” alluded to above by my sister. The “Covid Years” and family illness caused a break in travel that was planned on several occasions with Lee and Joan; but memories of love and friendship are treasures that we can carry with us always.
Our condolences to all her family.
She was a great lady who will be greatly missed.
It is with much sadness that I heard of Joan’s passing, I only spoke to her a few times over the phone, she was a very lovely woman and how I wish I could have met her in person, but it was not meant to be in this lifetime.
Grateful for her kindness towards me, may she rest in peace, and your hearts heal from the sadness of her passing.
Christine Shipley