Joan House

Joan House (nee Brown) was born September 12, 1957, in Osceola, AR to the late Amos Brown, Sr. and Evelyn Tyler Brown. The second youngest of her parents’ children, Joan was known for her energy and caring spirit. She attended Osceola High School and graduated in 1975.

Passionate about adding value and utilizing her work effort, she moved to Little Rock and entered the workforce quickly after attending vocational school. Joan worked for the Social Security Administration Office of Arkansas, where over the years she advanced her career and became Hearings Coordinator. While working she maintained her passion for learning, graduating with her associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees in business from The University of Phoenix, all with honors.

Along with finding purpose in work, Joan also found love when meeting Raymond House, Jr. They were wed on March 14, 1977, and their union produced three sons and six grandchildren. Her family was the center of her pride and joy and her love was unwavering.

At core of Joan’s being was her faith as she gave her life to Christ in her early years. After moving to Little Rock, she joined First Pentecostal Church of The Lord Jesus Christ where she was active in several ministries. Alongside Raymond Jr. after his ministerial ordination, they then founded Greater Praise and Worship Ministries where they established faith driven efforts to both spread the gospel and serve the community for 39 years.

Joan will always be remembered for her unmatched kindness, her joy and love for life, people and her subtle but powerful strength. Her enormous sense of generosity will always be remembered, especially through a free community clothing ministry she founded called Joan’s Closet. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished Nana, revered and supportive sibling and aunt, and most importantly a faithful servant of God until He called her home on Thursday July 9, 2026.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Amos and Evelyn Brown, her son Jamell House, five brothers: Amos Brown, Jr., Joe Willie Brown, Leland “Sweet Son” Brown, Charles Brown, and Elroy Brown, and six sisters: Thelma Raybon, Betty Gray, Lavern “Bonnie” Warren, Linda “Pee-Wee” Armstrong, Joyce Brown-Moultrie, and Florine Porter. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Dr. Raymond House, Jr., two sons: Raymond (Jaclyn) House, III of Rogers, AR and Tracy (Alexandra) House of Alexander, AR, four brothers: David (Christine) Brown of Memphis, TN, Jim (Sharon) Brown of Gardena, CA, Theodor (Willa) Brown of Blytheville, AR, and Johnny Mack (Kimberly) Brown, Sr. of Blytheville, AR, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.