Morris Upshaw Gist

Morse Upshaw Gist Sr. of Helena, Arkansas, was born September 16, 1923, and passed away on September 12, 2014, just short of his 91st birthday, at Helena Regional Medical Center. A World War II veteran of the U.S Army Air Corps, Mr. Gist resided in Helena his entire life and was owner of Gist Music Company on Cherry Street. Throughout the years his store was a haven for professional gospel and blues musicians, simple guitar pickers, and teenagers looking for their favorite hit records. Mr. Gist was a devout Christian, a man of great wisdom and integrity, and in every sense a Southern gentleman. He held a tremendous and deep love for his family, his church, his community, his neighbors, and an overwhelming desire to help those in need. Anyone who had the pleasure or opportunity of conversation with Mr. Gist would inevitably find themselves engrossed in a history lesson, spiritual counseling, or a simple exchange of words about car parts, new technologies, or old John Wayne movies. Mr. Gist was known for his favorite sayings: Peace be with you, See you again one day, Turn your worries over to The Lord, Do you want the long version or the short version?, Study hard and stay close to God. His favorite scripture was Romans 8:28, All things work together for good to those who love God. Mr. Gist was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mary Jean McCarty Gist parents Charles Heineman Gist, Sr., and Rooney Upshaw Gist, brother Charles Heineman Gist, Jr., sister, Anne Gist Monday, son, Charles Christopher Gist, and great-granddaughters, Weslee Faith Mizell and Blakely Rene Crow. He is survived by his son, Morse Upshaw Gist Jr. (Jody), of Hot Springs, Arkansas, daughters, Mary Ann Gist Mizell (Philip), of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Pamela Louise Gist (David Nace) of Great Falls, Virginia, daughter-in-law Laya Baroody Gist of Little Rock, Arkansas, grandchildren, Benjamin Mizell (Sarah), Katherine Crow (Trent), Emma and Hayden Gist, Jessica, Laura, and Jeffrey Nace, and great-grandchildren, Charlee Kate Mizell, and Brhiannon and Charles Kimery. Mr. Gist never missed an opportunity to tell his family members how proud he was of them. A Requiem Eucharist was celebrated on Sunday afternoon, September 14, 2014 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Helena. Memorial donations may be made to St. John's Church or to those in need whom God has placed in your path. Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Friends and relatives may sign the online guest book at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.