Reba Owens Gist

Reba Owens Gist, 101, of Little Rock, died January 26, 2016. Reba was born February 16, 1914 in Alicia (Lawrence County), Arkansas, daughter of George Grover Owens and Lillie Hinton Owens. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Swifton High School in 1932. Following high school, she taught business students in Beebe then attended Draughon School of Business in Little Rock. She recalled with amazement her transition from "farm life" to Little Rock. Her dad Grover and brother Rex had taught her to drive on the farm but not where there were real city streets. Later she attended Arkansas State College in Jonesboro to work on her teaching degree. During World War II she moved to Pine Bluff to work at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and recalled living with other young women friends in a boarding house and dating. There she met her husband of 62 years, Billie Bob Gist. They remained in Pine Bluff raising two daughters during which time she completed her elementary education degree from University of Arkansas, Monticello. Reba's family valued education and all of her siblings earned college degrees following World War II. She was a public school teacher in Pine Bluff for 25 years, retiring in 1977. Reba was an active member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma Teaching Sorority, keeping abreast of educational issues. After retirement, Reba and Billie were very active in the Three Rivers Audubon Society. She enjoyed playing the piano, bridge and sewing, but enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren most. Reba was an active member of Lakeside United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, where she sang in the choir for many years and taught Sunday school. They moved to Little Rock in 1994 to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren and attended St. James United Methodist Church. Reba is preceded in death by her spouse, Billie Bob Gist; brothers, Rex Owens, Thurman Owens and Thurber Owens; sisters, Marguerite Owens and Virginia Owens Lewis. Survivors include daughters, Jeanne Gist Andrews, Little Rock and Lydia Ann Gist Reed (Roderick) of Vero Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Claiborne (Clay) Gist Reed of Vero Beach, Florida, Lydia Arden Reed of West Palm Beach, Florida, Collins Adam Andrews IV (Boriana) of Fayetteville, Spencer Owens Andrews (Jennifer) of Little Rock; great-grandchildren, Blake Thompson Reed, Milla Collins Andrews, and Nina Collins Andrews. The family greatly appreciates the loving care of Reba during her last years by Tanya Seymour, Cihen Tan and Katrina Johnson as well as the many visits by her niece, Janice Owens Walraven. Reba was an active loving Mother, wife, educator and grandmother during her life. She appreciated the support of her family and in her remarks given at her 100th birthday celebration she thanked the family and attributed her longevity to their loving support. A memorial service will be Friday, February 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, Little Rock. Burial will be Thursday, February 4th at 1:30 p.m. at Graceland by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com). Memorials may be sent to Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 Olive Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601, Three Rivers Audubon Society, c/o Carolyn Theis, 6530 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 or St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212.