Joan Ellen Small

Ava, MO


Joan Ellen Jeanette Halliwell Small, daughter of Horace Albert Halliwell and Amy Leona (Nickel) Halliwell, was born March 8, 1931, in Long Beach, California. She passed peacefully to her Heavenly home on February 3, 2016, at her home in Ava, MO, at the age of 84 years.


Joan graduated from Washington High School in Fremont, California, where she was active in student government and was a member of the prestigious Einstein club for students excelling in geometry and trigonometry. She had a love for numbers and solving equations. After graduating, Joan began a lifelong career as bookkeeper and accountant.


She married Bob Whitlock shortly after her graduation from high school. That marriage ended in divorce.


In 1973 Joan and Darrell Wayne Small were united in marriage in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were parted by Darrell's death in 2005. During their marriage, Joan and Darrell traveled throughout the United States living and working in various states such as California, Nevada, Colorado, Louisiana and finally settling in Ava, Missouri in 1997.


Joan loved the town of Ava and the people who lived there. She felt like she had finally come home, due partly to the fact that her Mother was born in Springfield and her grandparents, James and Clara Nickel, once had a family farm just west of Springfield in what was then called Nickelville.

Joan had a wonderful sense of humor and an inquisitive mind. She was a Christian and a member of the local Red Hat Society. Joan was very instrumental in the operation of the Friends of the Library at the Douglas County Public Library and volunteered weekly. Books were her passion.


Joan also loved dogs. Blind, deaf, old, young, sick or healthy, it made no difference to her. She rescued each and every dog that God put in her path and loved them all passionately. Lucky were the dogs that got to be spoiled by Joanie.

In past years, Joan also volunteered for the Ava Senior Center and was involved in delivering for the Meals On Wheels program. She had many adventures with friends traveling on the Oats Bus. She loved her outings with Paulette and her "OATS Bus Family".


Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Darrell, two brothers, Terry Halliwell of Olympia, WA, and James Halliwell of Mt Joy, PA, and one sister, Patsy Knowles of Eugene OR.


Joan is survived by one sister, Kathleen "Kay" Journey, Tumwater, WA; two step-sons and their spouses, Darren & Kim Small, TN, and Lanny & Mona Small, LA; step-grandchildren, Dustin, Christopher, Brook, and Gabrielle; sister-in-law, Sharon Dennie & husband David, TX; nieces, Judy Shields, Ava, MO, Teresa Polo, CA, and Michelle Mirabella, CA, and many other relatives and friends.



Per Joan's request, there will be no public services. Her remains will be laid to rest beside her husband in Spring Creek Cemetery, Ava, Mo. Cremation is being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Memorials may be made in Joan's name to the Douglas County Library, PO Box 277 Ava, MO 65608 or the Ava Senior Center, PO Box 1166 Ava, MO 65608.