GULLETT, Jeannette

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 04/18/2006 Jeannette Gullett, 69, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at her Pinetop residence following a lengthy illness. Services are pending with Black's Mortuary of Show Low. Light a memory candle at www.blacksmortuary.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 05/16/2006 Jeannette Gullett, 69, of Pinetop died April 12, 2006 at her home with her husband by her side. Jeannette Gullett was born Nov. 6, 1936, to R.H. and Margaret Gibson of Cincinnati, Ohio. At age six, Jeannette and her family moved to St. Helena, Calif., and later to the ranch in Sacramento where they owned and operated the Gibson Wine and Cattle Company. Jeannette and her family enjoyed raising and showing champion quarter horses from their homes in St. Helena and Palm Desert, and from their ranch in Sacramento. Jeannette was an accomplished rider. She received numerous trophies including, the California State Horseman's Association Horsemanship Trophy in English, Western and the Grand Champion All Around Horsemanship Trophy. She was awarded the American Horse Shows Association Medal. In two consecutive years, the horses that Jeannette rode won the Pacific Coast Hunter Jumper Stock Horse Association's "A" Champion Trail Horse Trophy for highest annual point accumulation. In 1958, she was crowned Palm Springs Rodeo Queen. Jeannette attended school in St. Helena, and graduated from the Anna Head School for Girls of Berkley, Calif. She then attended ASU, and while living in Arizona, met and married Don Gullett. While Don completed his undergraduate work at ASU, Jeannette and Don were blessed with two daughters, Wendy and Deanna. With Jeannette's encouragement and support they moved to Memphis, Tenn., where Don attended the Southern College of Optometry. And, with Don's encouragement and support, Jeannette reluctantly learned to fish and catch "Brim" using live crickets. Don and Jeannette made many friends through their association with the Omega Delta Fraternity, where Don was a member, and Jeannette was the president of the wives club. They returned to Arizona and settled in Pinetop, where their son, Don, was born. Jeannette's many talents and endless energy aided her in the busy life she enjoyed. She worked many hours as office manager to help Don build and maintain a successful Optometric practice, and was active in the AZ O.A. Auxiliary. Jeannette served her community as a member of Woman's Club, and President of the Hospital Auxiliary. As her children grew, she was involved with numerous school activities. Jeannette was a local and regional Girl Scout Leader, and worked with the Rainbow Girls as Mother Advisor, Grand Deputy, and member of the Grand Executive Committee. Yet, she still found time for her personal passion: the fine arts. Jeannette loved sewing, crafting, photography and especially painting. In 1976, she helped to establish the First Annual White Mountain Arts and Craft Festival, and later the Northeastern Arizona Fine Arts Association. Over the next 30 years, she enjoyed working with the Art Association, serving in various positions including Gallery Chairman, Show Chairman, and President. She received awards for both her artwork and her years of service. Jeannette will be remembered for her enthusiasm, generous heart and wonderful sense of humor. Jeannette and Don enjoyed a loving marriage of 46 years. Her parents and her two sisters, Billie and Peggy, preceded Jeannette in death. She is survived by Don, their three children, Wendy Manolas, Deanna Giffis, and Don A. Gullett; also by her son-in-law, Craig; daughter-in-law, Stacey; and four grandchildren Brian, Matthew, Sarah and Kaitlyn. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m, Saturday, May 20 at the First Baptist Church of Pinetop, followed by a gathering at the Orchard behind Charlie Clarks. Arrangements entrusted to Blacks Mortuary, Show Low. Donations, if desired, may be made to the Northeastern Arizona Fine Arts Association in her name. Light a memory candle at www.jeannettegullett.us-memorials.com or at www.blacksmortuary.com.