Alice Jeanne Hurst

Alice Jeanne Hiley Hurst, 89 of Wynne, Arkansas, died on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital East in Memphis Tennessee. She was born on January 28, 1934, In Brinkley, Arkansas to the late Truman Lemuel Hiley and Goldie Mae McKinnis Hiley. When she was 5 years old, Jeanne began taking piano lessons from Miss Leo Waddell. Jeanne was quick to tell you she could not remember a time when she did not love music. At the age of 12, First Baptist Church of Brinkley wanted her to begin playing the organ for Church. They paid for her to travel to Little Rock by bus on Saturdays to take organ lessons. After only 6 lessons, the church told her they wanted her to begin playing the organ on Sunday nights. She cried for a minute, grabbed her music and headed to church. Jeanne continued studying piano with Miss Leo until she retired. Her next piano teacher would play an even larger role in her life. Mrs. Freddie May Hurst, her second piano teacher would eventually become her mother-in-law. Jeanne composed the senior class song for her graduating class at Brinkley High School. After high school, Jeanne continued her studies at Ouachita Baptist University where she studied piano with Virginia Queen. She was active in the music department at Ouachita performing piano solos and accompanying the choir. After she returned home, she was selected as Miss Brinkley and represented Brinkley in the Miss Arkansas Pageant. She later married Harry S. (Buddy) Hurst and began to teach piano. In 1968, the Hurst family moved to Wynne. Jeanne taught private piano lessons to countless students and was a mentor to many. She played the piano at Wynne Baptist Church from 1968 until 2001. For the last several years, Wynne Presbyterian Church has been her home church where she served as pianist. In addition to church, two organizations were near and dear to Jeanne’s heart. She was instrumental in the preservation of the Woman’s Progressive Club. She worked tirelessly to maintain it through fundraising efforts as well as day to day responsibilities. Through her efforts, this building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She served as President as well as one of the Trustees for the past 35 years. When you think of Wynne Music Club, most people think of Jeanne Hurst. She served in virtually every capacity. She performed a solo on nearly every program over the last 55 years. She also helped to re-organize the Junior Music Club which has served hundreds of students. A spinoff of Wynne Music Club, Wynne Petite Theatre, was also founded by her. She wrote and directed many shows as fundraisers for both Wynne Music Club and Woman’s Progressive Club. Jeanne was also very active in Arkansas State Music Teachers Association where she served as State Festival Chairman for 30 years. In 1980, Jeanne Hurst was named as B & PW Woman of the Year. Jeanne Hiley Hurst is survived by loving family members including, Lisa Hurst Miller (Mark) of Forrest City, sons, Mark Hiley Hurst (Karen) of Greenbrier, and Harry Simmons Hurst, Jr. (Lara) of Jonesboro. Grandchildren include Elizabeth Lea Machen, Lee Simmons Machen (Denton), Matthew Hurst Miller (Elizabeth), Mark Alexander Hurst, Nicholas Isaac Hurst, Tyler Jackson Hurst, and Kameron Machen. Jeanne had six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Truman and Goldie Hiley, husband, Buddy Hurst in 2012, seven siblings, one grandchild, Adam Christopher Hurst and one great grandchild, Eleanor “Nora” Machen. Visitation will be Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Wynne Presbyterian Church beginning at 12:30 PM. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Susan Arnold officiating. Burial will be in Crosslawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Woman’s Progressive Club or Wynne Music Club c/o Lisa Hurst Miller 329 SFC 313 Forrest City, Arkansas 72335.

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Alice Jeanne Hurst

January 28, 1934 - February 18, 2023