HEBER SPRINGS — Jo Ann Cockmon Wells,

85, died February 5, 2020, in Heber Springs after a long illness. Jo Ann was born January 11, 1935, in Little Rock to Agnes Anna Putsche and Louie Cleveland Cockmon. She was a 1952 graduate of Little Rock High School, and after raising her children, she returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1982 and a Master of Arts in Spanish in 1984 from the University of Central Arkansas.

Jo grew up in Little Rock’s First Lutheran Church, where she learned to play the organ when she was just 14 years old. She graduated high school a year early and later worked as a secretary at the Central Arkansas Veterans Administration Regional Office, where she met her future husband, William “Bill” Marvin Wells, of Pocahontas. They married on September 21, 1957, in Little Rock, then moved to Heber Springs in 1960 when Bill located his medical practice there.

Jo was the Organist/Choir Director at First United Methodist Church Heber Springs for 40 years and presented many outstanding Christmas cantatas with the choir. She also started the church’s handbell choir, teaching many non-musicians how to ring. She was an active member of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

She trained in the Bishop Method of Clothing Construction and taught sewing classes for several years. Her children and grandchildren cherish the memories of frilly dresses, wedding dresses, costumes, embroidered denim shirts, and quilts. The lime-green polyester leisure suits - not so much.

In the 1970’s, Jo learned to fly and made many solo trips bringing supplies to the Heber Springs Hospital. However, after a near-miss landing she decided a pilot license was not in her future.

For 10 years, Jo was the clinic administrator of the Christian Health Center in Heber Springs (a non-profit health care provider). She and Bill received the 2009 KARK Community Service Governor’s Award for their work at this free clinic.

Jo is survived by her husband, Dr. William “Bill” Marvin Wells, who was at her side every day during her long illness; daughter, Marissa Ann Wells; sons, Richard Marvin Wells (Brenda Barber), Steven Anthony Wells (Kimberly Reed Wells), William Michael Wells; one brother, Louie Cleveland Cockmon, Jr (Elaine); grandchildren, Whitney Pierce Ludvigsen (Brian); Jordan Elisabeth Pierce, John William Pierce (Amanda Reitmeier), Baker Marvin Wells, Kristen Leigh Alexander (Ben Pope), Ashley DeAnn Alexander, Kimberly Grace Wells, Steven Reed Wells, Jessica Christine Wells, and great-grandchildren, Molly Sarah Ludvigsen, Riley Alexander Reams, Zinnia Alexander Pope, and Joshua Adrienne Hall. She is predeceased by her parents and siblings, Margarite Cockmon, Dorothy Cockmon Stein, Mildred Cockmon White, and infant son, William Richard Wells.

Services will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020, at First United Methodist Church Heber Springs with visitation at 2 p.m., the memorial service at 3 p.m. and graveside services immediately following at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Memorials may made be in Jo’s name to the Chancel Choir at FUMC Heber Springs. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home. www.olmstead.cc.