Helen Haskett Jacoway

Helen Haskett Jacoway, of Little Rock, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 19th, 2011. She was born on April 26, 1916 in McCrory, Ark. She is survived by nieces Ann (and Jim) Ivey, Linda Holbert (and Dick) of Little Rock. Survivors out of state include Bill (and Linda) Haskett and family of Waco, Texas, Carl (and Virgetta) Smith of El Paso, Texas, Jay (and Cindy) Haskett of Vero Beach, Fla., Bren and Rich Haskett of Henderson, Ky., and Tim (and Gretchen) and family, of Gurnee, Ill. Other survivors in Little Rock include Sara Wilson and family, Allison (and John) Theus and family, Jennifer Walker (and Jim) and family, Heather and Linda Smith. She also had 11 grand nieces and nephews and 15 great grand nieces and nephews out of state. In addition to her parents, John and Flossie Haskett, Mrs. Jacoway was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Henderson Jacoway, brothers, Herschel and John R. Haskett and sister, Vivian Smith. Although she began school in Paragould, Ark., Mary Helen completed the majority of her school days in Little Rock, graduating from Little Rock Senior (now Central) High school in 1935. In 1945 she went to work for the Federal Government spending most of the time at Ft. Roots Veterans' Hospital before retiring in 1975. While there, she earned multiple outstanding performance awards. In addition to being the "Rock" of her family and having many friends, Helen enjoyed volunteering, gardening, and travel. She was credited with over 4000 hours in service to Viva (St. Vincent's Infirmary). Serving coffee and doughnuts to the veterans at the McClellan V.A. Hospital was another volunteer effort that she and her dear friend, Gerre Willis thoroughly enjoyed. Her yard on Idlewild in North Little Rock was her pride and joy for over 50 years. Among her travels, two trips to Europe with close friends and a very special trip to the Holy Land with her lifelong church friends were her favorites. "Aunt Helen" always had at least one adoring dog including "Abby" who gave her great joy for over 22 years. Always active, Helen enjoyed her 7:30 a.m. daily visits to "Total Fitness" in NLR and later to the North Little Rock Athletic Club well into her eighties. From the age of five until her early nineties she attended the First Church of the Nazarene. The family wishes to especially thank Ms. Kathy Henley for her loving care of "our" Aunt Helen and also Arnell Henry and Tonya Seymour. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Church of the Nazarene or to the Alzheimer's Association. A funeral service will be Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 at 1 p.m. in the chapel at Ruebel Funeral home followed by burial at Pinecrest Memorial Park. The service will be officiated by Dr. Dan Casey, of First Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.