Jamie Christian

Jamie Neaville Christian, 90, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026. She was born June 13, 1935, in Griffithville, Arkansas, to the late James A. and Mary Dell Eans Neaville. A graduate of Griffithville High School, Jamie was valedictorian of the Class of 1952. She was also twice the White County Girls Basketball Player of the Year and scored a school record 54 points in one game. She attended the University of Arkansas, where she earned a degree in elementary education in 1956. On July 5, 1958, Jamie married James C. “Jim” Christian. They shared nearly 59 years of marriage before his passing in 2017. Jamie devoted much of her time and energy to serving her faith community at First Presbyterian Church in Searcy, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served as both a Deacon and an Elder. She was a proud member of the Women’s Circle and enjoyed decorating the church for holidays and organizing church luncheons. Jamie’s creative spirit and keen eye for beauty were evident not only in her church work but in her career as an elementary school teacher. She taught for 32 years, primarily in the Searcy Public Schools, where she became beloved for her deep encouragement and support of children, her beautiful classroom bulletin boards, and her yellow piano, which she played with joy as she sang alongside her students. Jamie was a member of P.E.O., the Ladies’ Lunch Bunch, and participated in various bridge groups throughout the years. In her later years, Jamie moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas, where she reconnected with her dear friend Carla Brunner, a Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sister. She stayed involved in her new community through the St. Bernards Senior Life Center and First Church. She was a faithful daily walker on Redbud Circle, and she cherished every Razorback game with the same enthusiasm she brought to all aspects of her life. Above all, Jamie treasured her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother James A. “Sonny” Neaville III, and her lifelong friend and cousin Patsy Manatt. She is survived by her four daughters: Neaville Herndon (Charles) of Baltimore, Maryland; Mary Margaret Painter (John) of Maryville, Tennessee; Caroline Gairhan (John) of Little Rock; and Catherine Williams (Todd) of Jonesboro. Jamie was a loving grandmother to eight grandchildren: Christian Williams, Julia Gairhan Stoner (Ryan), Jackson Painter, Adam Williams, J.P. Gairhan, Shelby Herndon, David Painter, and Cal Herndon, as well as four nephews and three nieces. A memorial service to celebrate Jamie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on June 13 in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Arch Ave., Searcy. A reception and visitation will follow in the fellowship hall. A private burial will take place. Arrangements are being made by Powell Funeral Home, with Pastor Ben Coulter officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Jamie’s four sons-in-law, Philip Brunner, Chuck Goss, Jerry Lacy, and David Seward. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Jamie’s memory to First Presbyterian Church (400 W. Arch Ave., Searcy), Gum Springs Cemetery (2240 Gum Springs Rd., Searcy), or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangments entrusted with Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Jamie Christian

July 13, 1935 - June 9, 2026