Wannette Jean ''Jeannie'' Ryan, of Mayflower. God gathered his beautiful rose from earth¹s garden, called ''Jeannie''to her heavenly home, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, about 2:01 p.m. Prior to her brief stay at Conway Regional, she was assisted and nurtured by her mother, Berthenia Gill, Brother Freddy, Sister Maria, Step-father Rev. Gill and friends who came to help and support.
The lady best known as ''Jeannie'' by most, ''Monk'' by childhood friends, and ''Sister Wannette'', will long be remembered by for her love, loyalty and respect for all people. While challenged by her battle with cancer, she continued to serve her church family, and her assigned positions in the District, State and the National Congress of Christian Education. Wannette Jean Collins-McClure, the first of three children, born to Berthenia Collins and Clyde Homer McClure on July 17, 1953. Sister Wannette Jean Ryan was preceded in death by her son Shipiro in 1980 and her father, Clyde Homer McClure in 2004 and favorite uncle, W.O. Collins in 2007.
Wannette Jean Collins-McClure was baptized into the Palarm Chapel Missionary Baptist Church the third Sunday in August, 1962 at eight years of age. Wannette prepared herself by: graduating from Knob Noster High School in Knob Noster, Mo. After attending the University of Central Arkansas, as a nursing student, she recognized early this was not her calling. She became a mother, her first child, LeQuicia Nichelle ''Nicki'' was born. She later married Vernell Ryan and started her work career at International Shoe Factory in Conway, later employed by Kimberly Clark and remained loyal to the company 33 years. final promotion was Facility Scheduler.
She completed the Certificate of Progress Program of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and earned her Associate of Arts Degree from Central Baptist College and was presented her Bachelors of Science Degree in Leadership and Ministry with honors, by her professors, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in her hospital room as family and friends looked on. She is one of 15 outstanding students at CBC tapped for membership in the 2009 Who' Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges honors program, nominated by the school's nominating committee.
Funeral services Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Palarm Chapel Baptist Church, Mayflower, AR. Interment Palarm Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Feb 13, 2009 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Palarm Chapel Baptist Church.
Arrangements entrusted to Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home, Conway 501-327-1124. You can sign Jeannie's online condolences at www.larrygacklinfuneralhomes.com "IN YOUR TIME OF NEED...... WE CARE".
