Joanne Utley

Joanne Smallwood Utley, 75, of North Little Rock passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2018. She was born August 31, 1942 in Marianna, Arkansas to Auton and Letha Shores Smallwood.
Joanne and her husband, James, earned Arkansas Foster Family for two consecutive years and also received two Gubernatorial Public Service Awards for their work in foster care. She loved and cared for three sons and 58 foster children.
She is survived by her sons, James Utley, Jr., John Utley (Susan) and Jerry Utley (Stefanie); sister, Glenna Smallwood; grandchildren, Jeremy (Caitlin), Justin, JoAnna (Bobby) Fredere, Jonathan and Joshua Utley, Hazel Grace Gwin and Jaycee Utley; two great-grandchildren, Jaiden and Jonah; and several nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James E. Utley; and her granddaughter, Jayla Utley.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the funeral home. A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday at Harris Chapel Cemetery in Wynne.