Jean Justice Pilcher

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Friday, October 22, 2021
5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
First Baptist Little Rock
62 Pleasant Valley Drive
Little Rock, AR  72212
Saturday, October 23, 2021
2:00 P.M.


Graveside
Forest Hills Memorial Park
10201 Hwy 5
Alexander, AR  72002
Friday, October 22, 2021
11:00 AM
Memorial Contributions
Ouachita Baptist University Music Program
410 Ouachita Street
Arkadelphia, AR  71923


First Baptist Church Little Rock
62 Pleasant Valley Drive
Little Rock, AR  72212
Jean Justice Pilcher

of Little Rock, AR

March 17, 1926 - October 17, 2021

Jean Justice Pilcher, 95, of Little Rock, AR., went to be with the Lord Sunday, October 17. She was born March 17, 1926, in Little Rock, AR. to Walter Edward Justice and Mary Lacy (Young) Justice. She is survived by a daughter Robin Young of Little Rock; son Rex Pilcher (Mery) of Little Rock; seven grandchildren: Christine Young, Catherine Evans (Cody), Caroline Rasmussen (Daniel), Jonathan Young (Molly), Hannah Pilcher, Marissa Pilcher, and Robert Pilcher; five great-grandchildren: Cameron and Conner Evans, Isabella and Tyler Kate Rasmussen, and Hudson Young.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert Pilcher. Together they created a warm, loving home and served the Lord in churches and other ways throughout their 52 years together.
She graduated from Little Rock High School in 1944 and Ouachita Baptist University in 1948 with a B.A. in Music.

After graduating she was an organist at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock for several years. She briefly taught elementary and junior high school music. After getting married she was the registrar for the Baptist School of Nursing.

But her great love and gifting was as a choral director and worship leader. She was the music minister at St. Paul's Methodist in Little Rock, Forest Highland Baptist in Little Rock, and First Baptist in Little Rock from 1976 1989. She helped lead the church to love the Lord and love worshipping. She led the choir and music ministry in presenting the Living Christmas Tree programs to the city during the holidays. With Jerry Johnson, she led multiple youth choirs on mission trips across the United States that changed lives of many in her choir and those they ministered to.

She was the founding director of the Singing Women of Arkansas, later Master Singers Women's Chorus. She directed the group from 1974 2009 as they sang in churches and at other events across the state and in Germany.

She was a leader on the committee that compiled the Baptist Hymnal, 1991 edition.

She loved people and had a way of connecting with people, inspiring them to do their best, and maintaining those relationships over time.

Being a choir director and lover of worship at heart she always envisioned a choir as part of her funeral service, and we will honor that. Whether you sang with her choir or know her or of her and want to worship this way you're invited to be in the choir. The choir will meet this Saturday at 12:45 p.m. at First Baptist LR. Dr. Tom Bolton will direct the choir. Tom was a professor at OBU, Worship Minister at FBC LR, and then Dean of the Music School at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. If you can participate please email a response to tbolton728@gmail.com and indicate your voice part. Thanks and Glory to God!

A graveside service will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Hills Cemetery. A visitation will be at Roller Chenal Funeral this Friday from 5:00 7:00 p.m. And a memorial service will be held this Saturday at First Baptist Church, Little Rock, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Division of Music at Ouachita Baptist University or to First Baptist Church of Little Rock, AR.

Sign Guestbook

26 Condolence(s)
Karen Krena Miller
Hoiston, TX
Liked
Saturday, February 4, 2023

I lived next door to on Crouchwood until I was in the seventh grade. Mrs. Pilcher was such a wonderful neighbor and mentor. I always wanted to sing in choir with her and was very involved in church because of her. She was a kind friend to my mom and truly made my early years so special. Thinking of your family and am so thankful to have known such an incredible woman.

Hart Moore
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Saturday, November 13, 2021

I’m so sorry I missed the service. She was my elementary school music teacher and my good friend in the Music Ministry. Peace to you and the family.

Krista Brown
Carrollton, TX
Liked
Monday, October 25, 2021

Robin & Rex - Your Mom was a wonderful influence and woman of faith who was instrumental to my love of music, singing and worship! I know she was smiling down throughout the service, especially as her grandchildren spoke and sang! I also remember your Dad in the choir at FHBC and his wonderful voice praising our Lord. May God continue to bless you and yours!

Charles A. Brown
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, October 23, 2021

I AM will Meet Her There!

Barbara Walton McDonald
Sherwood, AR
Liked
Thursday, October 21, 2021

Dear family,
Miss Justice, as I knew her, was my music class teacher at East Side Junior High in the early ‘50s. I loved her. We all did. She introduced us to classical music, which has become a lifelong love—Grand Canyon Suite and Ravel’s Bolero are two that I first heard in her class. She was young, fun, and vivacious. I wish I could have talked with her in later years to express my profound appreciation for her “gifts.” Her example and those of other gifted teachers inspired me to become a teacher in the public schools of Little Rock, where I taught for 30 years. I see that Zela Strange, my home ec teacher at East Side, has also signed this guestbook. I send love and thanks to her. I hope she sees my tribute. Best wishes to her family. Barbara Walton McDonald

Melissa 3
Rogers, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

She was an integral part of my musical knowledge. I was part of FBC choir, but my findest memories are of her leading music in vacation Bible School. Think of her every time I hear "For the Beauty of the Earth."

Ben and Charlotte Kirby
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

We knew of Jean first through our parents--Sol and Eileen Kirby. Daddy sang in the choir and participated in several of the Living Christmas Trees of First Baptist. We came to know Jean personally after returning from the mission field in South America. We learned to appreciate her so much these last several years. She always encouraged. She was a talented and gifted musician and exhibited her love for the Lord. May God's peace comfort you all.

Debbie Staples
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Dear Family - I loved Jean. She was a model of faith and trust in Jesus. Praying for you.

Crystal N Croswell
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Rex, Robin and families,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful mother (grandmother) with us all. She was a lovely and caring person who left an impression on everyone around her. She patiently taught us to sing, read music, play the hand bells, and grow in confidence as we learned how to praise the Lord through music . She was always encouraging and inclusive. She was fun and stern by turns, as we needed it (especially in Junior High). Even though I had no great talent, she recognized my love for music and let me sing in all the choirs I showed up for. She was a true inspiration in my life and I will be forever grateful for the part she played in my upbringing. I'm so glad to have run into her throughout the years. She was an amazing woman and leaves behind an awesome legacy .
"A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically, and leave that kind of
legacy." - Nichole Nordeman
Much love, Crystal

Dr. M. Kaye Ramsey, PsyD
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021



Dear Robin, Rex and each member of your families,

I was deeply saddened to hear of your mother’s passing. My memories of her at LRFBC are with great fondness and gratitude for her services to both our music worship and to God. Her presence and influence on my musical life were enormous and I will always be grateful. She will be missed and I loved her dearly. May God hold her and smile upon her.

May the many wonderful memories of her remind you all of her love for each of you. In time, may these memories bring you joy and comfort your hearts.

Peace be with you. 🕊

Kaye

Zela Strange
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

I knew Jean as Jean Justice as we taught together during her brief teaching career at East Side Junior High School. We connected again at First Baptist Church through the Living Christmas Tree and being in the same Sunday School class with Jean and Bob (who were our teachers).

She was a special person to my family and me.

Our love and prayers to the family.

Zela and family

Sheri Swindler
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Our condolences to your family. I dearly loved and admired Ms Jean, and look forward to singing in the choir for her service!

Kerri Peden
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

My life has been immensely blessed because of her loving heart & prayers through the years. She was a fierce prayer warrior and faithful to her call ♥️

Judy McKellips Smith
Sherwood, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

I can hear her and Mr. Pilcher singing in the heavenly choir. She was my music teacher at Forest Highland Baptist Church and presented me my first Baptist Hymnal in 1962 for memorizing the most hymns. Mrs. Pilcher was a fixture at Camp Paron during summers and she had her hands full with curious and rambunctious teenagers. We loved her like a second mom. As an adult I came to visit LR First Baptist and lo and behold she was the choir leader at the time. Between her and Bob I didn’t stand a chance on saying no to coming back. Both of them welcomed me back and poured out love to me and my teenage son Jeremy. Jeremy loved them both at first sight. We are deeply saddened to hear of her passing. No one here on earth will ever know how many lives were changed by being in her presence. Rex, my heart is sad for you and the family. If I could speak to your mom one more time I would sing this to her, Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a Life that was changed, Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave. Love, Judy and Jeremy

Ken and Amber Singleton
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Mrs. Pilcher has a very special place in my heart because she played a huge role in growing my love for music and choral singing!! She was an excellent clinician and all of us who came through her youth and adult choir days at LRFBC had the equivalent of voice lessons!!! The music she chose was varied and exposed us to many different styles of choral worship music. She loves music and she loved us!

Ed & Pat Parr
Cabot,
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Our condolence to the family.

Keith and Lisa One
Naperville, IL
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Dear Pilcher family,
We grieve with you over Mrs. Pilcher’s passing and look forward to the day when we see her again. She welcomed us into her home when my father was in the hospital at Baptist, even though she didn’t know us. She was a bright spot during that sad time for us and over the years we came to love her and think of her as family. We will miss her asking us how we are up in the “frozen north” (we live in Chicago).
Our current sadness is her joy- she is with her Savior!
With our love and prayers,
Lisa and Keith One

George Mayo
Conway, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

I loved and respected Bob and Jean so very much. May the Comforter be ever present with family and friends and dwell in each fond remembrance of the life of this servant of God.

Brandon and Breanne Doyle, Abigail, Ruth, and Jacob
Astoria, NY
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Dear Jean Justice Pilcher,

Thank for encouraging us to serve the unreached of New York City. You left quite a legacy in those you invested in, and we praise the Lord for you. Thank you for blessing us, and may God comfort your family and friends.

Well done our dear sister!

Until we meet again,

The Doyles

Quinn G Spann
Carrollton, TX
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

On all of our Little Rock FBC youth choir tours we would end the concert with this song; this will alway make me think of Mrs. Pilcher:
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind blow at your back
May the sun shine warmly on your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
And, until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand. 😊

Jerry G Johnson
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

I praise the Lord for Mrs. Pilcher's life and legacy of love and service. I loved her dearly. My love and prayers go out to Robin, Rex and their families. JG.

Dicksie Rushing
Hot springs, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Jean was my sister-in-law. I loved her dearly.
Our families spent many good times together. She will be missed!

Robin Young
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

I LOVE YOU!!😘💕💕💕

George & Marilyn Vandegriift
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

I can’t begin to tell you how much Jean Pilcher has meant to me personally and to my family! We have always been “Music Buddies”, my “Tonto” to her “Lone Ranger”. (Funny to say, but true!) She was always a close friend to me, my family and to many Church Musicians in Arkansas and nationally. When Jean met you, she was your Friend for Life! Jean “tickled me” because she would often recall and quote verses of poetry she learned in High School or even before that. She knew every verse of many Hymns, could name the Author, Composer and the Stories behind the Hymns. And she (and Bob) had a genuine “Funny Bone”! Their Grandchildren seem to be carrying on the tradition. I loved her SO much! I shall miss her! 💕🎶

Carol Rangel, Frances Tarpley & Samantha
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

We are so sorry to hear of Jeans passing. She was a wonderful person and brought light and joy wherever she went. Her love of the Lord and music will long be remembered by all who knew her. Keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers!
Frances, Carol, and Samantha

Mary Ann Dalmut
Ft. Smith, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Rex, Robin, and family, know you are loved and being prayed for during this time. I, like countless others, am flooded with precious memories of Jean, never to be forgotten, forever loved. Mostly, I just smile at her dry sense of humor as she faithfully led us in worship through music. Respected, treasured, gifted, that’s your Mother and grandmother and our friend, standing or perhaps kneeling before the King of Kings and Lord of lords for all eternity. God bless.