Jorene Haynes

Jorene Haynes, age 85, of Morrilton, Ark., died Sunday, March, 25, 2018, at her home at Timberlake, surrounded by three generations of her family. A public school teacher for 26 years and co-founder of Camp Timberlake, her gift of teaching went well beyond the classroom, touching people from all walks of life to find empathy for others and confidence in themselves. Raised in Watson, Ark., she came from a family of educators who passed her a passion for lifelong learning. She graduated with a B.S.E. from Arkansas A&M, where she met and married her love and life partner, Jack Haynes. As a public school teacher, she found opportunities to work with children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, while Jack was a leading counselor for the deaf and hearing impaired. Their vision for youth education led them and their young family to Santa Fe, N.M., Delavan, Wis., and finally to Morrilton, where they founded Camp Timberlake in 1968. Together, Jack and Jo turned a plot of land at the foot of Petit Jean Mountain passed down from her father and mother, C.C. and Reva Stuart, into a summer paradise for young boys and girls from all over the United States. They designed adventures and activities for campers to learn to express themselves as individuals, and develop the attitudes and ideals that form the foundation for positive life skills and character. Known to campers as "Miss Jo", she was the campers' mother, comforter, and trusted friend. After closing the camp in 1993, she and her two children and grandchildren continued to live at Timberlake, where she shared her magical touch and life lessons with all she encountered, even to the end with her caregivers. She continues to share her love, compassion, and zest for life through her beloved family, children Terri Haynes Loyd and Todd Haynes, and their spouses Jim Loyd and Leann Haynes; her sister, Betty Webb, and brother, Buster Stuart; her grandchildren, Ryan Loyd, Whitney Haynes Romanoff, and Jordan Haynes, and their spouses, SJ Tucker, Stephen Romanoff, and Hope Hudson Haynes; and her great-grandchild Hudson Mitchell Haynes; and countless others who have known and loved Jorene, Miss Jo, and Meme over her 85 years. Her family will have a private celebration of her life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations be made in her memory to Conway County School Counts Scholarship Endowment and the Conway County Care Center Endowment, causes she championed all her life – kids and families in need. You may make donations to both through Arkansas Community Foundation at arcf.org. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Online Guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.