Obituaries

Mary Kay Burnett East

Photo of Mary Kay Burnett East
MARY KAY BURNETT EAST, "Moomie" as she was known to close friends and family, died on Thursday, April 12, 2018. She left this earth with her large family at her side. She was born on May 3, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to Johnie and Mary Burnett. Mary Kay lived in Joiner, Ark., during her early childhood, where her father was a coach and superintendent of schools, and moved to Little Rock, Ark., with her family when she was four. She grew up in the Heights neighborhood in Little Rock, attended Hall High School and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she was a cheerleader and beauty queen. Mary Kay is survived by her husband James C. East and her siblings, older sister Suzanne McGee, and older brother, John Len Burnett. Mary Kay was previously married to George Lorenz Jr. They had two children, Kimberly Smith and Jennifer Miller. In 1982 she married James C. East, the principle shareholder and Chairman of the Board of Pulaski Bank and Trust Company. It was at this time of her life she faced her greatest challenge while combining two families with six children, and loving them each and every one as her own. Mary Kay was a wonderfully warm and fun loving person. She had only good things to say about others and was much loved in return. She loved tennis and snow skiing, and she and Jim enjoyed many days on the slopes in Aspen, Colorado. Mary Kay especially enjoyed traveling, often taking close friends and family. She was a member of the Little Rock Country Club. Mary Kay was a long time member of the Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church where she belonged to the PHUM Circle of Hope and volunteered in the food program. In addition to her brother, sister and husband, Mary Kay is survived by four children, Jennifer Miller, Hunter East, Letitia East and Jack Collier East, and fourteen grandchildren, Hunter Smith, Kaitlyn Smith, Brooke Miller, Kyle Miller, Colby Miller, Evan East, Hannah East, John Collier East, Justin Ryles, Lily Ryles, Avery Ryles, Silas East, Ginger East and Atticus East. Their son Lindsey East died in 2011, and their daughter Kimberly Smith died in 2017. Eight of her grandchildren are grandsons and will serve as honorary pallbearers. A memorial service will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published April 15, 2018

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