Jeffrey Haney Yancey, 44, was born December 30, 1975 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Paul and Janis Haney Yancey and passed away February 13, 2020 in Greenwood, Arkansas. He was a 1994 graduate of Greenwood High School and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Arkansas State University. He was baptized as a member of First Baptist Church Fort Smith and became a member of First Baptist Church in Greenwood in 5th grade.
His greatest passion in life was for music. He began piano lessons in first grade and continued through 12th grade. He had a natural talent for playing, singing, performing and song writing. He could listen to a song, then sit down and play it. His long time teacher, Frances Dean Nichols, remembers when “Jeff would sit and play, and I would write the notes as fast as I could for him”. He also enjoyed playing in talent shows, playing in church, singing and acting in the Youth musicals, and many other opportunities to perform. He was selected Most Talented by his senior class and even received a music scholarship for college before deciding to pursue business. While in college, he served as a youth intern at FBC Fort Smith and used his music to relate and minister to the kids. His love for music never faded and he continued playing for himself, his family, with friends, and performing even as an adult. Jeff spent most of his career in sales and was known for his friendly personality and smile.
Since childhood, he loved Star Wars and the Kansas City Chiefs. Winning the Super Bowl this year was one of the happiest days of his life and it was spent with his family. Even as great as his love was for music and the Chiefs, nothing compared to the love he had for his two daughters, Madi and Bre.
Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emmett and Ruth Haney of El Dorado and Claud and Lucille Yancey of Mansfield. He is survived by his parents, Paul and Janis Yancey; his wife, Kate; daughters, Madison and Breana; brother, Kyle; sister, Brenda and family (her husband Ransom, and children Lincoln, Presley and baby Cora expected in June), as well as his extended family of nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many special friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Jeff’s life will be held at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 25 at the First Baptist Church Edge Building in Greenwood. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. before the service. The family will also visit with friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jeff Yancey Memorial Account (a college fund for his daughters, Madison and Breana) at any Farmers Bank location using the account number 300070, or mail to Jeff Yancey Memorial, 401 Crooked Creek, Greenwood, AR 72936.
