Jean was born in Helena, Arkansas on February 18, 1927.  Her brothers and sisters were Alto, Harry, Patrick, Walter, Gordon, Irene and Katherine McCarty (Katherine White, surviving), and baby brother Jimmy, who died as an infant.  Jean graduated from Helena High School.  During World War II, she served as a secretary to the British Department at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where she observed Winston Churchill at work and learned the formalities of British tea service.  Jean then served as a secretary to administration at the Helena Hospital.  She was residing at the nurses’ dormitory when she met Morse Gist, who had returned home from duty in the United States Army Air Corps. Morse arrived at the dormitory to pick up Jeannie for a blind date arranged by a friend.  Morse passed inspection by the matrons on duty that evening,  was introduced to Jeannie, and reports that at that moment his life changed forever.  Jean and Morse were married at the Helena Methodist Church on All Saints’ Day, November 1, 1951.  While raising her children and assisting at Gist Music Company, Jean attained an Associates Degree in Nursing from Phillips County Community College.  She worked as a Registered Nurse at the Helena Hospital until she retired.  Jean’s work inspired both daughter Mary Ann Mizell and granddaughter Katherine Mizell to select nursing as their chosen professions.

 Jean’s older son, Morse U. Gist, Jr., is a practicing attorney in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he lives with his wife, Jody.  Jean’s younger daughter, Pamela, practices law in northern Virginia with her husband, David Nace.  Jean’s younger son, Charles, was a physician specializing in child psychiatry.  His widow, Laya, and children Emma and Hayden continue to reside in Little Rock following Charles’ automobile accident.  Jean’s eldest grandchild, Benjamin Mizell, and his fiancé, Sarah Grant of Benton, reside in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Ben works in the real estate industry and Sarah has begun her nursing career at Washington Regional Hospital.  Mary Ann Mizell is married to Philip Mizell, M.D.  They live in Little Rock with their daughter Katherine, who will begin working at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

 Memorial services will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Helena at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2007.  Memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 625 Pecan St., Helena, AR  72342.