Joan Particella

With deep love and gratitude, we celebrate the life of Miss Joan Particella, a remarkable woman whose strength, resilience, and spirit left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her.

Miss Joan touched countless lives throughout her journey. With her spunky personality, unforgettable stories, fierce independence, and strong will, she had a way of making an impression on everyone she met. Those who knew her will remember her determination, her unapologetic honesty, and the many miles she walked through Argenta, where she became a familiar and beloved presence. Joan had a unique gift for connecting with people, and those connections left a lasting impact.

Joan's story became a powerful inspiration behind the vision for Providence Park. Through her influence, she helped spark a dream of creating a community where people experiencing homelessness could find more than housing. They could find dignity, belonging, purpose, and hope. Her legacy will continue to live on through every life touched by the mission of Providence Park for generations to come.

In her later years, Joan was embraced by a community that loved her deeply. We are profoundly grateful for every person who cared for her along the way, especially the North Little Rock community that surrounded her with compassion, friendship, and support. Through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, prayers, and simply showing up when it mattered most, you enriched Joan's life and gave her the precious gift of community.

And Joan was wonderfully, unapologetically herself.

She loved Dr Pepper and Orange Fanta. She rarely met a shade of red lipstick she didn't like. She found comfort in her green chair, enjoyed coloring, preferred long sleeves, and was often seen wearing one of her favorite bandanas. Mashed sweet potatoes and strawberry ice cream ranked among her favorite treats. These simple joys brought her happiness, and those who loved her can still picture the smile they brought to her face.

Miss Joan's life reminds us that hope can flourish in unexpected places and that one person's story can inspire compassion, transformation, and change far beyond what we can imagine.

While we grieve her loss, we celebrate a life that mattered deeply. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who loved her, in the community that cared for her, and in every future resident of Providence Park who finds hope, home, and belonging because of the vision she inspired.

Providence Park would like to extend special gratitude to John Crow, LifeTouch Health (formerly Arkansas Hospice) hospice nurse team at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock, Aaron Reddin, Blackberry Market, 4 Quarter, and the many businesses, organizations, and individuals who loved and supported Joan throughout her journey. Thank you for embracing her as family and for helping ensure she always knew she was loved.

You were loved beyond measure, Miss Joan, and you will be dearly missed.

Please join us for a Mardi Gras Celebration of Life honoring Joan on November 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Providence Park, 6900 Green Road, Mabelvale, Arkansas 72103.