of Searcy, AR

February 10, 1922 - September 6, 2024

Louise Nicholas Ganus left this world to be with her Lord and Savior on September 6, 2024, at the age of 102. She strongly believed that her life was guided by the providence of God.

Louise was born on February 10, 1922, in Strawberry, Arkansas, the daughter of Austin Clem Nicholas and Pearl Nicholas. She lived in Strawberry and Imboden, Arkansas, where she helped her father run a general store. After graduating as valedictorian from Strawberry High School in 1938, Louise enrolled in Harding College at the age of 16.

At the beginning of her sophomore year at Harding, Louise met Clifton L. Ganus, Jr., within seconds after his arrival on campus from New Orleans. A four-year courtship soon began. In college she joined WHC, Harding's first women's social club, wrote for the Bison student newspaper, and cheered on the Pep Squad for intercollegiate ballgames. After graduating in 1942 with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in French, Louise moved to Wynne, Arkansas, where she taught high school English literature, biology, and chemistry for a year.

Louise married Cliff Ganus in May 1943, in the same Godden Hall auditorium where Cliff had graduated 90 minutes before. She began her married life in Charleston, Mississippi, where her husband served as a preacher for 10 congregations during World War II. In Mississippi she worked with the Girl Scouts. When she moved back to Searcy, Louise was instrumental in starting the Girl Scouts in town and also worked with the Boy Scouts. Louise and Cliff lived in New Orleans on two different occasions where she gave birth to her first two children. While in New Orleans she worked with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). After moving back to Arkansas, she traveled around White County to help organize PTAs, including PTAs in both Searcy Public Schools and Harding Academy. Louise also enjoyed living in New York City in 1955-56 where she was a part of the Columbia Dames. This experience encouraged her to help found Associated Women for Harding (AWH), still in existence today as Women for Harding. She was the second president of AWH which recognized her in 2007 with the Lifetime Achievement Award. An avid lover of flowers and floral arranging, she also was a founding member of the Searcy Greenkeepers Garden Club. She served this group as president for two years and received the Garden Club Circle of Roses award.

Louise was first lady of Harding from 1965 to 1987, serving as hostess for students, parents, faculty, board members, dignitaries, friends, family, and many others. She was a Harding social club sponsor. She was a cancer survivor. In 1978 she received the Distinguished Alumna award from Harding College. Louise and her husband took their children to all 50 states and traveled together to 75 countries. They were involved in church work in Africa, the Caribbean, Ukraine, and other locations. Louise was an active member at College church of Christ teaching Bible classes and speaking to ladies' groups on many occasions. Yet amid this active life, she was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, bringing comfort and joy to those she encountered throughout her life.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, Clifton L. Ganus, Jr.; her parents, Austin and Pearl Nicholas, and a sister, Imogene Hawkins. She is survived by three children: Cliff III (Debbie), Debbie Duke (Richard), and Charles (Patty), along with ten grandchildren: Johnna Duke Raymond (Bret), John Richard Duke, David Loyd Duke (Lanny), Sherrill Ganus Daugherty (Chris), Louisa Duke Wicks, Bill Ganus (Jessica), J. Cliff Ganus, Ashley Ganus James (Loren), Landon Ganus (Cassie), and Kevin Ganus (Betsy), and twenty-one great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at the College church of Christ family room on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 1:00 until 2:30 pm followed by a memorial service in the auditorium at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Clifton and Louise Ganus Scholarship Fund at Harding University.

Sign Guestbook

6 Condolence(s)