Jo Helen Killen Gist, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Alpharetta, Georgia. She was born to Andrew “Dallas” Killen and Ann Southard Killen, of Florence, Alabama. She was a 1946 graduate of Coffee High School, Florence, Alabama, writing a weekly sport’s article for the TimesDaily while in high school. She continued her education obtaining a teacher’s degree at Florence State Teachers college (UNA). She taught school while living in Jackson, Mississippi.
In 1951, she married the love of her life, James W. Gist Sr. and moved from Florence, Alabama, to New Orleans, Louisiana, followed by Jackson and Tupelo, Mississippi, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Alpharetta, Georgia, where she spent the remainder of her life. Jo Helen was an active member of Roswell Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by both her parents and brother, Jack Killen, of Florence.
She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, James W. Gist Sr., “Jim” formerly of Sheffield, Alabama; sons, Jimmy Gist, of Alpharetta, Georgia, and John David Gist (Kathryn), of Madison, Mississippi; grandson, Gregory Gist, of Alpharetta, Georgia; granddaughter, Chrissy Going, of Suffolk, Virginia; sister, Audrey Killen Floyd, of Florence, Alabama; sister-in-law, Dorothy Jane Gist Taylor; cousin, Jerry Owens (Janie), Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; nieces and nephews; and friends.
A memorial service followed by a reception was held at Roswell Presbyterian Church, Roswell, Georgia, was Wednesday, April 8. A private burial will occur, Saturday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, Hatch Boulevard Sheffield, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Homestead Hospice, 10888 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075.
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