Jeslyn Louise McCleary

JESLYN LOUISE MCCLEARY passed away Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. Jeslyn was born Nov. 6, 1923 in Columbia, Mo., to James H. and Mary Louise Stone Jackson. Her early years were spent in Escanaba, on Lake Michigan in the state's upper peninsula. Jeslyn graduated from Stephens College and attended the University of Missouri, both in Columbia. She pursued her journalism career on the Escanaba Daily Press, the Columbia Daily Tribune and finally on the staff of Trans World Airline's employee newspaper in Kansas City, Mo. There, in 1947, she met and married Emory A. McCleary. In 1956, along with their two children, Lynn McCleary Monk and Jim McCleary the family relocated to Hot Springs, Ark. Jeslyn became an active part of the community and their church, First United Methodist. She served as president of several organizations including the Hot Springs Junior Auxiliary, Lakeside PTA and Lotus Club. She served her church in many, many capacities including Chairman of the Administrative Board. During the span of her 50 year membership at the Hot Springs church, she rewrote and updated the church history three times. Jeslyn loved being near the water, and after Emory's retirement in 1978 they built a house on Lake Hamilton. They were lucky enough to travel the world over the next several years and Jeslyn, ever the journalist, recorded these travels in her daily journals. She later "published" these writings in "Vagabond Journals" which she shared with friends and family. After 57 years of marriage, Emory died in 2004, and Jeslyn moved to Little Rock to be closer to her daughter's family. She embraced change and at the age of 80 began a new life at Parkway Village where she made many new friends and was "adopted" by a new church family at Pulaski Heights United Methodist. Her later years were blessed not only by longtime friends but new ones in Little Rock. For these groups we are forever grateful. Jeslyn had a strong love of Christ, the written word, travel and new adventures. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Jeslyn is survived by her two children; a son-in-law, Jim Monk; grandchildren, Sarah and husband, Steve Duke, Susannah Monk, Emily and husband David Duffy and Katy McCleary; and great-grandchildren, Emory Andrew Duke, Lilly Duffy and William David Duffy. A memorial service will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014 at 1 p.m. officiated by Rev. Lynn Lindsey and Rev. Jeffery Hampton. Internment will follow at First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the McCleary Endowment Fund at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.