Obituaries

Bettie Lee Gortney House

Photo of Bettie Lee Gortney House
BETTIE LEE GORTNEY HOUSE went to heaven on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, in Conway, Ark. She was born Feb. 22, 1925, in Newport, Ark., to Paul and Dossie Gortney. Paul was a railroad man and he and Dossie moved the family frequently, finally settling in North Little Rock. As a child, Bettie contracted polio. The doctor wanted to remove her hip but her father would not allow it and with God's grace, Bettie was healed. As a young woman, she went on a date to a wrestling match with a young man and met his cousin, Aniel House Sr. She and Aniel became sweethearts and married on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1948. They lived in the same house in Park Hill in North Little Rock for more than 50 years before he passed away in 2003. Bettie and Aniel had three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with another on the way. She was a Christian of the Baptist faith devoted to God and her family who loved her dearly. She had a quick wit and enjoyed a good laugh. Bettie was quite the cook and her cheese dip was renowned but before it was served she had to fish out the spoon that inevitably sunk to the bottom of the bowl. She loved playing Uno with her Sunday School friends until she moved to Conway in 2010. Bettie is survived by one daughter, Beth Vint and two sons, Aniel Jr. (Nancy) House and David (Debi) House. Grandchildren surviving their Mamaw are Justin (Amber) Vint, David (Holly) Vint, Mark (Sara) Vint, Jake (Suzanne) House, Amy (Ryan) Friedman, David A. House and Sam (Kathleen) House and Russ House. Also surviving Bettie are her sisters, Bobbie Jo Cummings and Sweet Wine. She was preceded in death by Aniel Sr., and her favorite son-in-law, Buster Vint. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, with a graveside service at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Memorial Park, 7724 Landers Road in North Little Rock. www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

Published January 21, 2013

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