Johnnie Geneva Andrews

Johnnie Geneva (Hailey) Andrews, age 98 of Jena, Louisiana was received into Heaven on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
She was born on Thursday, February 3, 1927, in Nebo Community, south of Jena, Louisiana, to the union of John Aaron Hailey and Gencie Olivia (Chevallier) Hailey.
Johnnie Geneva Hailey, also known as John, Mamaw, Mamaw Johnnie, Aunt Johnnie, and friend. Johnnie was a strong independent and fun-loving lady. She was adored by her family, friends, customers and co-workers. Ms. Johnnie worked at LaSalle State Bank and Southern Heritage Bank for about 20 years. Her customers loved her so much that, no matter if other teller lines were open, they would wait. They wanted no one else but Ms. Johnnie to wait on them. She loved her customers.
If you knew her well you knew she loved God, her church family, her children, and grandchildren, wholeheartedly. She loved her brothers and sisters and their children. Always making time for a phone call or a visit. After becoming widowed she surrounded herself with lots of friends. They traveled together, played Rook, lots of Rook games. She also loved Pokino and dominos. She was very competitive in her game playing and loved every moment. With many of these friends she also began to serve as an Auxiliary Lady for the LaSalle General Hospital or better known as the Pink Ladies. She loved volunteering and serving at the hospital. She especially loved handing out The Jena Times to patients. She served faithfully until she was in her late 80's.
Johnnie also loved sports. She enjoyed following the Jena Lady Giants softball team. Spring and Summer, you could find her at the ball field with her lawn chair sitting behind home plate catching every play. She especially loved to watch KC & Demi; it brought her much joy.
Johnnie loved to cook, she was always sharing with family and neighbors. She had a knack for remembering family favorites. When she cooked them, she would proudly proclaim so.
But what Ms. Johnnie is most known for is her laughter. Despite being a widow for most of her adult life, she still found joy in life, in her family and her friends. She was known for laughing at herself, a lot! Times with family were filled with picking and joking. Especially with grandkids during Christmas celebrations. Her joyful spirit has left us all with sweet, funny memories that will last a lifetime. To say Johnnie had a fun-loving soul describes her completely. Dearly loved by all, she will be missed but fondly remembered.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 33 years, Samuel Truman "Sam" Andrews, three sisters Bernice Deville, Wilma Sanders, and Hazel Coon, three brothers A. W. "Dub" Hailey, Lester Hailey, and Chester Hailey.
She leaves behind to love and miss her are two sons Steve Andrews (Kathi), of Jena, and Keith Andrews (Lori), of Jena, two brothers James "Hig" Hailey (Johnny), of Jena, and M. S. "Red" Hailey, of the Nebo Community, a sister-in-law - Polly Hailey, also of the Nebo Community, five grandchildren Amy Toler, Brian Andrews (Roxana), Dewayne Andrews (Sara), Matt Greer (Jessica), Tom Greer (Cara), eight great-grandchildren
KC Garcia (Colin), Demi Toler, Austin Andrews, Elizabeth Andrews, Alexandria Andrews, Rachael Greer, Aubrey Greer, and Ella Kate Greer, with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 4, 2025, at East Jena Baptist Church from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at East Jena Baptist Church with Rev. Craig James, Pastor Steve Cripps, and Rev. Johnnie Phillips officiating. Ms. Johnnie will be laid to rest in the Belah Cemetery, in Trout following the service under the direction of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home.
Those honored to serve her and her family as pallbearers are Brian Andrews, Austin Andrews, Colin Garcia, Dewayne Andrews, Matt Greer, and Tom Greer. Honorary bearers are Clarence Durham and Joey Hargrove.