Joan Marshall Pettit

Joan Marshall Pettit, 95, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away July 12, 2026. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 20, 1931, the only child of the late Carl Newton Marshall and Carroll Sugg Marshall. She attended school in Memphis, Fort Smith, and Little Rock; graduating high school from North Little Rock in 1949. She attended Little Rock Junior College (now UALR) and Hendrix College in Conway.

She was employed by the Arkansas Inspection Rating Bureau as well as Lewis and Norwood, General Agents. She worked until her marriage to Kenneth Allen Pettit of Little Rock in 1957, who preceded her in death in 2000 after 44 years of marriage.

She is survived by her son, Allen Marshall Pettit (Holly) of Little Rock; three grandchildren: Heather Brianne Reed (Randall) of Woodlawn, Marshall Clayton Pettit and Natalie Marie Pettit, both of Little Rock; and great-grandchildren, Brantley Keith Reed and Bellamy Kate Reed of Woodlawn. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and son, Andrew Scott Pettit.

A visitation will be held from 5:00PM-7:00PM on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home (8801 Knoedl Court). She was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:00AM by the Rev. Dr. Kate Alexander. It was Joan's wish to be cremated with remains placed in the Crease Close of her church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church or Presbyterian Village Foundation. The Pettit family would like to express their sincere gratitude, thanks and love for all the staff of Presbyterian Village including the residents themselves. Our family has a long history within this community which included Carol Marshall, Kent Pettit and now our wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend Joan Pettit.

She said so many times how much she appreciated everyone that assisted her during the last eight years of her life. Up until she took her last breath, so many of the staff came by her room to pay their respects. Thanks to each and everyone of you, as it has been said many times, "It takes a Village"

We love each of you and give you our sincere thanks for the care of "Grandma and Lipstick"!