Joan Simmons

Fleete Joan Barham was born in Burns, Missouri on July 31, 1935 at the home of her parents, Joel and Fleete Barham. She was quite the surprise as her brothers Max and Rex were 10 and 12 years old. She was a joy to the whole family. Her mother said “if I had known she would be so wonderful I would’ve had 100 of her!“ Her family attended Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church where Joan was saved at the age of 10. She was a member of Southside Missionary Baptist Church at the time of her death. Joan’s best friend Shirley Sampson lived just down the road from the Barham home. They did everything together and remained friends until Joan’s passing. At Halfway Public School, Joan was always a good student with the highest grades. She enjoyed cheerleading and being on the basketball team. Joan met JC Meador at the Halfway Skating Rink. They were married nearly 50 years. Their children are Janell, Jeff, (deceased) Jodie and Jill. Together they started a successful dairy farm, Meador Farm Supply, Meador Seed House, and with partner Carrol McCracken, the M&M Farm Center. They later purchased the Blue Bottom Ranch where they work for years turning it into one of the most beautiful farms in the area. There they grew crops, and had a large herd of cattle they raised for beef. Besides working right beside the men, she also prepared and packed a gourmet meal for them all for every lunch. Grandson Vince once remarked “grandma’s the hardest working man in Polk County!” Joan loved to travel. She visited Europe with her daughter Jill, Italy and China with her beloved yoga class, and the beach with Jodie and her kids. She loved her trip to Greece most of all. Later she learned to play bridge and loved it! She always said it was the best game ever. Reading was also a favorite past time. She went through several books a week, along with Watching Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune and enjoying visits with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her days were full. In 2005 she married Charlie Simmons and they had many good years together. He was always bringing her candy, homemade cookies or flowers. Joan is survived by her children: Janell Meador, Jodie Young (Tim), Jill Pierce (Kevin), her 10 grandchildren: Meleah Black (Justin), Jesse Thompson, Molly Carr (Alex), Vince Meador (Harley), Dylan Young (Sarah), Clayton Young (Julia), Caleb Young, Madison Huddleston (Parker), Sara Lipsey (Keith), Johnny Scott (Tiffany) and 14 great grandchildren: Coraline and Isaiah Black, Payton Nutter, Wilder Carr, George, Josie and Jett Meador, Bryson and Eliza Young, Emory Young, Wrenly and Hallie Huddleston, Della and Mabel Lipsey, as well as step great-grandchildren, Cameron, Garrett and Rachel Carr. Services for Joan will be at 2:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 9 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Visitation will take place the evening before on Wednesday, April 8 starting at 4:30 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. at the Butler Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Salem Baptist Church Building Fund.

Joan Simmons

July 31, 1935 - April 5, 2026