Hallie Jo Hart

Hallie Jo Hart died Easter morning, April, 8, 2012, in Little Rock . Born June 15, 1929 in Pine Bluff , Arkansas , she was the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Wesley Neill and Jerrine Oates Hart. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Jerrine Hart Hilliard, daughter-in-law, Sandy Ballard (Burns), and her beloved Dachshund Schroeder. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School and Hendrix College . During her marriage she lived in Boston and Ohio , including Sunbury, Seven Hills, Niles, Canton and Euclid. She loved her career as a United Methodist minister's wife, and later attended Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio. She was involved in ecumenical, educational and social justice groups. She was past-president of Lake to River Girl Scout Council in Northeast Ohio and was a member of United Methodist Women. She returned to her roots in Arkansas to be near family. She worked as a Christian educator and as a nanny to several families in Little Rock prior to retirement. She was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. She had an adventurous spirit, always searching for the unusual — events, places, people or food. She particularly loved travel, cookies, opera, children's books, kids and family. Hallie Jo is survived by her children, John Burns (Marie) of Canton, Ohio, Paul Burns (Carol) of Cumming, Georgia, Jo Beth Burns (Ray) of Westerville, Ohio, and Becky Howard (Akku) of Little Rock, Arkansas. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Amelia and Griffin Burns of Cumming, Georgia, and Sajeev and Duncan Howard of Little Rock, Arkansas. Other survivors include her brother Wesley Neill Hart Jr. (Karen), Fay Jean Royce, John Edward Hilliard, nieces and nephews, and her beloved caregiver Trenda Cottrell. Thank you to the staffs of Presbyterian Village, Baptist Health and Arkansas Hospice for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations or memorials be made to Hallie Jo's favorite organizations: Heifer International, Arkansas Rep, Arkansas Children's Hospital or Little Rock Zoo. A celebration of her life will be held on or near her birthday in June. Arrangements are pending and under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.