Jeannine Elizabeth Presley

Jeannine Elizabeth Campbell McMurtrey Presley, 86, of Fayetteville, died peacefully surrounded by family on July 10, 2016. She was born at the Fayetteville City Hospital on September 25, 1929, the only child of her parents, Evertt and Evalee Campbell. She was educated in Fayetteville public schools and then graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1951 where she was a Razorback cheerleader and homecoming queen; she later obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Texas Women's University. She married her first husband Winfield McMurtrey Jr., in 1952 and bore three sons in Texas. In 1969 she returned as a widow to Fayetteville and taught at Farmington High School until she retired in 1992. In 1978 she married George Henry Presley; together they ran Presley's Brake Shop for many years. She was very active in her community and church and was a member of: Order of Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Social Club (OES), Olive Branch Shrine #3, Beta Sigma Phi, Northwest Arkansas Symphony, Fayetteville Country Club Golf Association, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Garden Club, Metropolitan Club, Northwest Arkansas Noblettes, BPOE Ladies Club, Order of the Amaranth, Rose Croix Shrine No. 2, and others. She was especially active in United Commercial Travelers and served as Grand Chaplain of the Ladies Auxiliary, National Co-Chairperson on Cancer, International President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Grand Counselor (Regional President) of Arkansas (twice), committee member of the May E. Tisdale Scholarship Fund, and Grand Chaplain of Arkansas (twice) during her son Mark's tenure as Grand Counselor of Arkansas. Last week she and Mark attended the 129th Annual UCT International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Jeannine had an infectious laugh and smile, was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan, and enjoyed watching Jeopardy every afternoon. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Dr. A.W. McMurtrey Jr., and George Presley; stepson, Robert Presley; step great-grandson Billy Hampshire; and step-great-granddaughter, Natallie Elizabeth McNelly. She is survived by her sons: Winfield McMurtrey III (Cindy) of St. Charles, Missouri; Ward G. McMurtrey, M.Sc. of Farmington; and Mark E. McMurtrey, Ph.D., (Jacki) of Conway; and her stepchildren, Janis, Don, and Michael Ted (Tangi) Presley of California; Steve Presley (Marilyn) of Missouri; and caregiver Robert W. Wilkes of Fayetteville; her grandchildren, Katie, Rachel, and Samantha McMurtrey; and Grace Elizabeth (Gigi) McMurtrey; and her step-grandchildren, Tina, Teresa, Brenda, Bobby Presley, and a host of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Beard's Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with a reception to follow. Interment will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery with no graveside services. Memorial donations may be made to the May E. Tisdale Scholarship Fund (UCT), St. Paul's Episcopal Church, or a charity of your choice; online condolences may be made at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.