Finding reliable information about obituaries in Jonesboro AR isn't as straightforward as it used to be. You’d think a quick search would give you everything, but the local landscape for death notices has changed a lot. Honestly, if you’re looking for a friend from high school or a former coworker, just checking the Sunday paper might leave you empty-handed.
People die. It’s the one thing we all do. But in Northeast Arkansas, the way we record those lives is shifting from ink and paper to a fragmented digital web.
The Fragmented State of Jonesboro Death Notices
Back in the day, The Jonesboro Sun was the end-all-be-all. If someone passed away in Craighead County, you found out there. Now? It’s a mix. You’ve got legacy newspapers, funeral home websites, and social media posts all competing for your attention.
The Jonesboro Sun still handles a huge chunk of this. They’ve partnered with Legacy.com, so if you’re searching for someone like William "Bo" Bogard or Marie M. Chastain, who both passed in early January 2026, you can usually find them there. But here is the kicker: it costs money. Starting prices for a basic notice in the Sun sit around $30, but that price climbs fast if you want a photo or a longer life story.
Because of those costs, some families are skipping the newspaper entirely.
They just use the funeral home’s website. If you’re looking for someone specific, you basically have to check the "Big Three" local providers:
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- Emerson Funeral Home: Located on East Nettleton. They host detailed memorial pages for folks like James "Jimmy" Taylor Grisham.
- Roller-Farmers Union: They’re the ones on East Johnson. They often list people from the surrounding smaller towns like Bono or Bay.
- Gregg-Langford Bookout: A staple in the downtown area with deep roots in the community.
Why the Digital Divide Matters
If you’re doing genealogy, the modern way of doing obituaries is actually kinda frustrating. Microfilm used to be the gold standard. You could go to the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, sit at a machine, and scroll through 1985 like a pro.
The library still has an incredible index. They can actually help you find up to five obituaries a week if you email their reference department. That’s a lifesaver for people who aren't tech-savvy.
But for recent deaths? It's messy.
Take the case of Robert Joseph Brasfield, who passed away on New Year's Day 2026. His information is readily available because it was posted across multiple platforms. But for others, the "official" record might only exist on a funeral home’s Facebook page for a few weeks before disappearing into the algorithm.
Missing Details and Common Errors
You’d be surprised how often mistakes happen. I’ve seen obituaries where the middle name is misspelled or the surviving siblings list is missing a whole branch of the family. In the Jonesboro area, we have a lot of "double" families—blended households that make "survived by" sections a logistical nightmare.
Pro tip: Always cross-reference the funeral home site with the newspaper version. The newspaper version is usually edited for space, while the funeral home site usually has the "uncut" version with all the grandchildren's names.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye
Let's talk money. It's weird to think about, but dying is expensive, and telling people about it is part of that bill.
| Feature | Estimated Cost in Jonesboro |
|---|---|
| Basic Death Notice (Name/Dates) | ~$30 - $50 |
| Standard Obituary (with Photo) | $150 - $300 |
| Extended Life Story | $500+ |
Some people think the newspaper is "required." It’s not. It’s a service. If the budget is tight, many Jonesboro families are opting for a "Notice of Service" only, which just lists when the funeral is at places like the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House.
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How to Find Someone Today
If you are looking for someone right now, don't just Google their name. Google is slow.
Go directly to the source.
If you know they were a veteran, check the local VFW or American Legion circles. Jonesboro has a massive veteran community, and word often travels through those networks faster than the internet.
Also, check the smaller community papers. If the person lived in Brookland, Lake City, or Valley View, they might be listed in a more localized publication that doesn't always show up on page one of a Google search.
Actionable Steps for Finding Records
- Check the Library Index: For anything before 2020, the Craighead County Public Library is your best bet. Use their online Deaths and Obituaries Index.
- Search by Funeral Home: If you know the family, you likely know which home they used. Check Emerson, Roller-Farmers, and Gregg-Langford Bookout first.
- Use Legacy.com: Search specifically for "The Jonesboro Sun" within their database to narrow the noise.
- Social Media Search: Use the Facebook search bar for "[Name] Jonesboro AR" and filter by "Posts." You’ll often find the "celebration of life" graphics that families share before an official obit is even written.
The reality of obituaries in Jonesboro AR is that the record is only as good as the effort put into it. Whether it’s Florene Dixon or Carroll Dacus, every person’s story is out there—you just have to know which digital or physical shelf to look on.
To ensure you have the most accurate information for legal or genealogical purposes, request a physical copy or a high-resolution scan of the published newspaper notice. This acts as a permanent record that won't disappear if a website's domain expires or a funeral home changes ownership. Always verify dates against the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) if there is a discrepancy between local reports.