Obituaries

Jeanne Gist Andrews

Photo of Jeanne Gist Andrews
Jeanne Gist Andrews, 72, of Little Rock, died September 18, 2018. Jeanne was born December 19, 1945 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, daughter of Billie Bob Gist and Reba Owens Gist. She grew up in Pine Bluff and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1964. Jeanne began her studies at Hendrix College and then graduated from the University Arkansas at Fayetteville with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and minor in Art. She was a member of Chi Omega sorority. The relationships she built with her Chi Omega sisters had an enduring impact throughout her life. After marrying she began a journey to many different locations in the country including Nashville, Tenn., West Lafayette, Indiana, Albemarle, North Carolina, Allentown, Pa., Detroit, Mich., and Wichita, Kan. before finally settling in Little Rock. One constant during these journeys was her involvement with causes that benefited her community. These ranged from Activity Director at the Wabash Valley Mental Hospital, fundraising work for the Ronald McDonald House, The Old State House, The Centers for Youth and Families, and Presbyterian Village. She finished her career as a counselor for Southwest EAP. One of Jeanne's proudest career achievements was securing the McDonalds All-American Basketball Game to be played in Wichita, Kan. in 1981 which raised enough money to open a new Ronald McDonald House to serve that community. Friends and family members describe Jeanne as witty, artistic, beautiful, a great listener, friend to those in need, talented seamstress, and a loving mother to two sons. Jeanne appreciated her education and returned to school later in life to earn a graduate degree in Psychology from the University of Memphis. Jeanne is preceded in death by her father, Billie Bob Gist and mother, Reba Owens Gist. Survivors include sons, Collins Adams Andrews, IV (Boriana), of Fayetteville and Spencer Owens Andrews (Jennifer) of Little Rock; grandchildren, Milla Collins Andrews and Nina Collins Andrews of Fayetteville, Scarlett Owens Andrews and Hudson Spencer Andrews of Little Rock. Additional survivors include sister Lydia Reed (Rod), nephew Clay Reed and niece Arden Reed all of Vero Beach, Fla. The family greatly appreciates the loving care of Jeanne during her final years by Janice Lee. A graveside service will be held at Graceland Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Ark. this Saturday 9/22/18 at 3 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church this Sunday 9/23/18 at 3 p.m. Flowers may be sent to the church or donations may be made to Jeanne's MS Society Tribute Fund by phone or through the link in the online obituary at www.raphrobinsonandson.com.

Published September 21, 2018

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