Biography: Allison Ann Justiss, 16, was born April 2, 1991, and left her family's loving arms to join the Lord's merciful embrace on Monday, June 25, 2007. She was surrounded by those she loved, who were blessed to have known her. She is survived by her mother, Rebecca McDowell; her step-father, Allen McDowell; her sister, Laura; her brothers, John and Alex; her father, Richard; her aunt, Bobbie Low; her uncle, Mike Low; her cousin, Allison Low; her uncle, Troy Garlin; and her uncle, Ronnie Justiss. She was preceded in death by her cousin, Sara Low; now, these beautiful daughters have been reunited. Allison's life was dedicated to bettering others', and she did so without regards to her own wants. She was the recipient of the F.I.T. Award at Camp Ozark, which is given to one who consistently puts the needs of God and others before herself. Her proudest achievement was receiving the Sotomora Service Award as a Sweetheart for the Little Rock Chapter of the American Heart Association; she accumulated over 300 service hours in less than a year by volunteering at multiple hospitals in Little Rock every single weekend and most weeknights, which almost doubled the amount of hours earned by previous recipients. Her final, and most generous, act of giving was to donate her organs so that others could live in her stead. Allison was a proud and accomplished student at Little Rock Central High School, and that proud Tiger would not have gone anywhere else. She loved attending football and basketball games, and she always looked forward to dressing up for Spirit Week. She was involved in numerous student organizations, through which she furthered her volunteer work. While she enjoyed all of her classes, she excelled in the art classes that fostered her natural creativity and let her show others how beautiful she was on the inside. She was also kind enough to let others hear this inner beauty whenever she played the piano, with which she had an uncanny and mature talent. Allison also participated in many activities where she was not the most talented, because she knew she could be with enough practice and determination. She enjoyed playing in the Hillcrest Softball League, even though she had trouble getting past first base because of her dainty running. She was not disappointed when she did not make High Steppers for Central High, because she was determined to take dance lessons until she could make it the following year. Allison was also known for her childlike and unquestioned faith in God. She enjoyed participating in numerous youth groups in Little Rock, though she always made a point to attend Young Life every week. Her time there with her friends fostered her belief and cemented her relationship with God, with whom she can now rest. Allison's greatest source of joy was always her family and friends. She raced home every day to tell her family about every detail of her friends' lives, and she loved to stay up with those friends to discuss their plans for the future. She was always happy to spend time at home with her family, where she went from room to room to make sure that her parents and siblings knew her love and joy. Her ringing laughter will be missed. A public memorial service will be held 2 p.m., June 28th, at First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Rev. Michael Mattox will officiate, “Uncle” Fred Arnold will lead Allison's loved ones in prayer, Dir. of Volunteers at Baptist Health Hospital Jim Gibbons will offer words about her volunteer service, and her brother John will present the eulogy. All those who were privileged enough to have known her kindness, generosity, and love, are invited to attend and celebrate a life that will not be forgotten. Her family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude: to the staff at Baptist Health Hospital and First United Methodist Church, as their uninterrupted attention to Allison's needs gave peace to all; and to Landrey White and David Harrison, whose devotion to Allison returned some of the happiness she gave to everyone she met. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to the Sweetheart Foundation, care of the Little Rock Chapter of the American Heart Association, or to the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, so that her legacy of giving will be continued. Donations can be made to the Sweetheart Foundation at 909 W. 2nd St., Little Rock, AR, 72201; donations can be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation at 800 Marshall St., Little Rock, AR, 72202. Funeral arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
We are so very saddened by the loss of your daughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.