Anabel Jackie McGee Hand
Anabel Jackie McGee Hand, 83, a long-time resident of Jackson, Mississippi, passed away Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in College Station, Texas, due to kidney failure. A memorial celebration of life service will be in the spring of 2008 in her birthplace of Lake, Mississippi.
Jackie co-founded the first professional photography studio in Jackson, Mississippi, with Bob Hand, from whom she was twice divorced. Jackie owned La Vance photography studio on Lakeland Drive in Jackson, and created a photographic style which dynamically integrated classic composition and exquisite lighting. Before opening her own photography studio, Jackie was one of the first female salespeople for Olan Mills Studio, helping build it into a national firm.
In the mid 1950’s, she was the Public Relations Officer for the Mississippi Civil Air Patrol, U.S.A.F. auxiliary, where she participated in flying missions to find lost pilots. She also worked with news agencies and compiled a detailed history of the Civil Air Patrol.
Jackie was a mother of four: Bobbie Slater of Clinton, LA, Steve Hand of College Station, TX, Suja Pritchard of San Diego, CA and Robert Hand of New Orleans, LA. She is survived by all four of her children, her sister, Yvonne McGee Montgomery of Black Mountain, N.C., her grandchildren Donna Hammons, Denise Wynn, Roger Slater Jr., Benjamin Slater, Stephen and Brian Hand, Mija Pritchard, Nathaniel Hand and six great grand children.
Many prayers of peace and strength during your time of sadness. Our thoughts are with you . May and angel hold you close and guide your way.
Greg and Michèle Gorman