Biography: Dr. Joan Bell Crockett (PhD), age 94, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully November 18, 2025, at Presbyterian Village care facility, Little Rock.  She was born July 6, 1931, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Winfred and Edna (Haffner) Bell.

Following her graduation from Central high school in Little Rock, Joan attended Vassar College before she graduated from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a bachelor’s degree in English.   During her college years, Joan was one of the first women to take classes at Harvard University.  Later, while raising a family, she worked full time at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock (UALR) and earned her Masters and then her PhD specializing in Psychology.  She held advanced positions at UALR where she managed psychological testing  and career counseling of students.  She retired from UALR after many years.  

Joan never stopped learning and took Art, Psychology, and Music courses at UALR in retirement.  She was a member of Unitarian and Presbyterian Church of Little Rock and sang in the choir at Presbyterian Village. She also enjoyed Sudoku, painting, and dining with friends and family. 

Joan is survived by her four children and four grandchildren, son James (Joan) of Dallas, TX, son John (Karen) of Benton, AR, and their two children Stephen and Melissa, son Robert (Lynn) of Maumelle, AR, and their two children Hunter (Ashley) and Victoria, daughter Anne (Tom) Warfield of Springfield , IL, and a sister-in-law Ruth Bell of Little Rock, AR, and four nieces and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Jim Bell.

A memorial service will be held at noon Monday, December 22nd, at Ruebel Funeral Home’s Chapel, 6313 West Markham St, Little Rock, AR, followed by a private graveside farewell at Pinecrest Cemetery, Bryant, AR.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Presbyterian Village in her honor.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Presbyterian Village care center for their outstanding care of Joan. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com