Bettye Lucille Smith Hunter

Bettye Lucille Smith Hunter left her earthly life and joined our heavenly father on Friday, September 28, 2012. She was welcomed by her parents, Thomas and Gladys Smith; her daughter, Karol Hunter Mikunda; and her loving husband Reverend Richard Warren Hunter. Bettye was born on January 23, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Ensley High School and Birmingham Southern College, and continued work at both Scarritt College and Southern Methodist University to become a Certified Director of Christian Education. She and her husband Richard served United Methodist Churches for over 50 years, Richard as Senior Pastor or Minister of Education and Music and Bettye as Director of Children's Ministries and Education. Bettye initiated and served as director of many early care and education and kindergarten programs in the churches they served. Congregations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi were blessed by their love, service and caring ways. Bettye was co-owner of the Upper Crust Restaurant in Little Rock. She was a true "Southern Belle" and certainly cooked like one. She was known for her famous rolls, desserts and extravagant holiday meals. Bettye was gracious, caring, emphatic and always ready to serve others. They served churches in the Mississippi United Methodist Conference (Meridian, West Point, Clarksdale, and Gulfport) before retiring and returning to Little Rock to be with their children and grandchildren. Bettye was an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. She is survived by her two children; Kathy Hunter Stegall and husband Roger of Mayflower and Richard Smith Hunter and wife Jana Bess of Little Rock. She has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Roger Stegall Jr his children, Hunter and Peyton of Mayflower; Katy Stegall of Little Rock, Rick Hunter his wife Kelli and their young child Harrison of Nashville, Tennessee; Pierce Hunter and Cari Hunter both of Little Rock. A memorial service to celebrate Bettye's life will be held on Monday, October 22, 2012, 10 a.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas A graveside service will be held in Birmingham, Alabama. Arrangements are by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501) 224-8300. The family requests that memorials be made to Children's Ministries at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or to Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.