Joann Colleen Payer

JOANN COLLEEN PAYER, 84, of Mabelvale, passed away May 11, 2016. She was a graduate of Mount St. Mary's Academy and a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church. She enjoyed participating in local Bible study and spending time with family and friends. Joann's talents were many. She was an accomplished seamstress and a whiz with a crochet hook and knitting needles. She was an extremely talented china painter, and had several publishings in The China Painter magazine to her credit. She was also a member of The World Organization of China Painters. Joann loved instructing young people in the art of painting on china, and has left behind numerous examples of her beautiful handiwork with family and friends. Preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Lillian Cole, sister, Barbara Wilder, and much beloved son, Steve Payer, she is survived by her loving sweetheart and husband of 64 years, Forrest Leon Payer, who lovingly refers to her as his "sweetie face;" her children, Sherry and husband, Ross Mesquita, Katy and husband, Dennis Tinkle and Melissa and husband, Ron Villareal; grandchildren, Robin Carlino, Samantha Ford, Matthew Cook, Gunnar Ebeling and Maxwell Ebeling; and five great-grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly. She was the matriarch of her family and will indeed be greatly missed in this world, but loved eternally. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Mark Wood on Monday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, followed by interment at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Joann's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.