Jo Nell Plafcan, age 73, of Conway, Arkansas, passed away on November 4, 2025.  She was born on November 6, 1952 in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Jo Nell was a deaf educator who cared about her students and their families.  After retirement, she continued working with low-income families by meeting at their homes.  She committed many hours every week to tending community gardens as part of Master Gardeners.  She revered animals all her life; she fostered many homeless cats and dogs, and played a pivotal role in bringing an animal shelter to Faulkner County.  Many cats and dogs have been saved because of her service.

Jo Nell was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Arnold Morris, mother, Louise Jumper Morris, and son, Chuck Hill.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald Plafcan, daughter, Emma Plafcan, and sisters, Susan Morris and Jan Brown.

A gathering of friends will be held on Tuesday, November 18 from 2-4 pm at First United Methodist Church in Conway, AR.

Donations in her memory are welcome by the Friends of Faulkner County Animal Shelter.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com