Biography: Evelyn (Eva) Jennings Rand died peacefully at Briarwood Nursing Home on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the age of 101.  She was born July 19, 1920, in Glenmore, La., to parents Eula and David Jennings.

After her mother's death, she and her older sister went to live with their beloved paternal Aunt and Uncle Jackie and Hugh Wallace. They lived in Dallas until Hugh Wallace was appointed head of Federal Home Loan Banks, then they moved to Little Rock. Evelyn attended local schools and graduated from Little Rock High School (now Central High). She attended Little Rock Junior College and then the University of Arkansas. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and made her debut at Little Rock Country Club.
 
She was a sustaining member of the Little Rock Junior League, a member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on the Altar guild, the Worship Committee, the Mission’s Committee, the Library Committee and the Needlepoint Committee. She was a member of the Little Rock Garden Club and the Fine Art’s Club.  She was formerly on the Board of the Elizabeth Mitchell Children’s home.  She had been a member of the Little Rock Country Club. 
 
Evelyn was best known for her Rose garden and her Christmas Beads. As Jeanie Burton, Retired Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church shared about Eva’s Beads “If you hear a faint jingly sound approaching you these days, it may be me.  I’ve been wearing the wonderful Christmas beads made by First Church member Eva Rand.  With something that looks like a delicate crochet stitch, she wove shiny red and green balls, gold colored stars and other tiny ornaments into several long strands that always generate compliments when I wear them.
       
Aside from the festive way they look, one of the best things about Eva’s beads is that she promises to repair them if they break. ”Just bring them back to me,” she said, “and I’ll fix them.”  No questions asked. No charge. Hers is a lifetime unconditional guarantee.
       
A similar promise is given to us from God.  Indeed, the coming of Jesus into the world gave God and opportunity to set up a repair shop of sorts.  We bring our hurts and brokenness into the presence of God in Christ, and experience reconciliation, forgiveness, healing – you might even call it “fixing.”
      
In our Companion in Christ class last week, several members of the group noted the amazing power of Jesus’ works from Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Just saying those words seems to have a mysteriously restorative effect. 
       
As we make our way through Advent, where are you weary, burned out, broken? Where do you need God’s mending?
       
Listen carefully, and you will hear God say: “Just bring your burdens back to me, and I’ll fix them.”  Why not trust the unconditional promised?”
 
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her Aunt and Uncle that reared her, her sister and Brother in law, Marion and Howard Cockrill of Little Rock, Brother in law and Sister in law, Nick and Patricia Rand of Searcy and Son in Law, Roy Martin of Conway. She also was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Rand, Jr., President of Rand’s Inc., a wholesale grocery company in North Little Rock.
 
She is survived by her son, Benjamin (Bart) Arthur Rand, III of Mt. View, her daughter, Polly Martin of Little Rock. She had three Grandchildren, Ashley Brewer McConnell (John) of Fayetteville, Larry “Wilson” Brewer, Jr. of Little Rock and Benjamin (Ben) Arthur Rand IV (Kristin) of Memphis. She has 4 Great Grandchildren, Tripp McConnell, Mary Jane McConnell, Rand Brewer and Elizabeth Rand. She had several Nieces and Nephews. 
The Rand family would like to thank the staff at Briarwood Nursing and Rehab for their excellent care of almost 10 years.  We would also like to thank her dear friend and caregiver Brenda Dobbins for her love and caring for our Mother.
 
If you happen to have received a pair of Eva’s beads, please wear them on Friday, January 28^th in her memory. A graveside service will be on Friday, January 28, 2022, at 1:00PM at White County Memorial Gardens, 604 Eastline Road, Searcy, AR  72134. 
 
In lieu of flowers she asked that memorials be made to her church, First United Methodist Church, 723 Center St, Little Rock, AR 72201, The Little Rock Garden Club, P.O. Box 7613, Little Rock, AR  72217 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com