Marguerite Louise Robinson Jones -- better known as Sissy Jones -- will tell you that "Life's too short for ordinary jewelry." A spin on this -- "Life's Too Short for an Ordinary Journey" -- was the theme of the 2015 Arkansan of the Year gala, an Easter Seals of Arkansas benefit that honored Jones on May 1.
Jones, her family and a select group of guests first gathered for a VIP reception in the Arkansas Room of the Little Rock Marriott hotel before making the short trek to the Statehouse Convention Center, where they joined other guests in a lobby reception. Attendees then proceeded into the Wally Allen Ballroom to sit down to a dinner of pan-seared beef filet topped with house-made Old Bay cream sauce.
The night's program began with a welcome and opening remarks by Rick Fleetwood, chairman of the board of Easter Seals, and additional remarks by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. KTHV-TV, Channel 11 news anchor Craig O'Neill was there to introduce sponsors and corporate partners, but couldn't resist throwing out a few of his customary one-liners, announcing that Sissy's would be carrying the "Bruce Jenner earring collection."
Billy Hartnedy conducted a live auction of items that included a New York Fashion Week trip, a Cabo San Lucas golf vacation, and Sissy's Log Cabin jewelry. The audience was also shown a video about Haven's Road, a cross-country, dirt-trail motorcycle adventure to raise money for children and adults with special needs, and the inspiration given rider John McCormack by his daughter, Haven. Guests also contributed to this fund, whose goal was $50,000.
After a video tribute came a live one given by Jones' son, company President Bill Jones, and grandson, William Jones. Bill Jones -- who stars in company commercials with his mother -- told of Sissy's earlier aversion to advertising and her turn-downs of O'Neill, who tried to get her to advertise with the radio station at which he then worked. Known then for his prank phone calls, O'Neill subsequently called the store pretending to be an Arab sheik who wanted to buy jewelry for his multiple wives, Bill Jones recounted.
But the highlight of the evening was the award presentation to Jones, who was then serenaded with the old Frankie Valli hit "My Eyes Adored You."
Wearing the angel pin that's her trademark, Jones observed during her acceptance speech that "there's no ordinary anything. ... I went on a journey and the journey led me into a lot of avenues." She testified of her Christian faith, talked about her time with the young clients of Eastern Seals, and ended with her own appeal for donations.
Arkansan of the Year raised over $400,000, which includes Haven's Road, which raised $25,905.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 05/10/2015