Obituaries

Jeanice Falls

Photo of Jeanice Falls
Jeanice Falls, 99, of Russellville, AR, died Wednesday, July 19. She was born Frances Jeanice Falls in Pottsville to the late Roy and Mary Hughey Wilson Falls on May 11, 1918. She attended Russellville Public Schools, Arkansas Tech and Erskine College, Due West, SC, earning her BA degree. Jeanice retired in 1981 from then Continental Telephone Company after a 40-year career. She was a long-time active member of Central Presbyterian Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, youth advisor, and summer church camp counselor. Jeanice was the first woman Elder of Central Presbyterian Church, serving on several committees, and was a General Assembly Commissioner in Atlanta in 1983 when Presbyterian Church US and Presbyterian USA merged. She was actively involved in Business & Professional Women's Club, serving as State Federation President in 1965 and on BPW National Committees. She was a member of Independent Telephone Pioneers group. Jeanice was the first woman to serve on The Russellville Chamber of Commerce Board. She was recognized as the "City's Woman of the Year" and received a statewide plaque for community service. Jeanice was a member of the Russellville Sewer Commission, the United Way Board and an advisor for Area Vocational Career Center. In 1983, she was awarded the "Citizen of the Year" by the Russellville Kiwanis Club. In 1982 she joined St Mary's Hospital Auxiliary becoming a Pink Lady. She served as Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary State President 1988-89. Later she served again as State President.She was a proud member of the "Class of 38" from Arkansas Tech, which was famous for their annual Tech Homecoming traditions, continuing until 2007. She was Past President of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association and a 1974 inductee in the Hall of Distinction. ATU Alumni Director, Kelly Davis, said that being inducted in the Alumni Hall of Distinction recognizes a person's total support of the university and long-term involvement in our student life, "and that certainly described in her commitment to ATU." Jeanice was an avid Golden Suns Girls Basketball fan, following them since the 1980's. In February '17, she was recognized by the Golden Suns as their #1 Fan. She attended annual Great American Conference tournaments, including the 2017 tournament, in Bartlesville, Okla. Her favorite Major League Baseball teams were the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. Her hobbies were reading, traveling and bridge, but the loves of her life were her family, her church and Arkansas Tech Golden Suns. Nephew Alan Rail said, "Aunt Jeanice was an amazing lady, who truly lived life her way. She touched so many lives well beyond our immediate family, and was a blessing. ‘My Dear...' as she would often begin...‘you will be greatly missed!'" She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wilson Boyce Falls, a great-nephew, Douglas "Doug" Henry Foreman. She is survived by her nieces: Nadine Falls Rail, Little Rock, Ark.; Royann Falls Foreman, Kenosho, Wisc.; Rosemary Falls Mahan (Ricky), Pearcy, Ark.; and Judith Boyce Falls Taylor (Mark), Diamondhead, Ark.; her great-nephews and niece: Alan Rail (Dina), Little Rock, Ark.; Brian Foreman (Donna), Kenosho, Wisc.; Kevin Mahan (Ashley), Pearcy, Ark.; Ben Jackson (Erin), Pearcy, Ark.; Leslie Jewel Chesshir, Hot Springs, Ark.; and 10 great-great-nieces and nephews. Also survived by her friend and personal assistant, Delores Bryan. The family wishes to express special thanks to Delores for taking care of Jeanice, who knew what she needed before she did. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017 with Visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Pisgah Cemetery at Pottsville by Humphrey Funeral Service. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Tech University Foundation, Office of Development, 8820 Tech Lane, Russellville, Ark. 72801 or Central Presbyterian Church, 400 West Main, Russellville, Ark. 72801.

Published July 21, 2017

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