Betty Jo Ferguson

BETTY JO FERGUSON of Little Rock passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. She was born Oct. 5, 1931 in Cartagena, Colombia to Robert Wallace Godbold and Eleanor Clyde Godbold. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, and her husband, Jack. Betty is survived by three daughters, Tricia Watkins (David Franz) of North Little Rock, Betty Johnson (Danny Johnson) of Conway, Mari Alice Sence of Springdale and one son, John Ferguson (Tammy Ferguson) of Little Rock. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Rachael Daugherty, Jack Daugherty, Josh McKibben, Mary Beth Johnson, Jo Beth Sence, David Sence, Jack Henry Ferguson, Sarah Ferguson and her grand-dog and caregiver, Happy. Her children were the highlight of her life – she was always a wonderful and caring mother who will be greatly missed. She also took great pleasure in her favorite hobbies – gardening, cooking, playing bridge, and she was accomplished in the fine art of making a house a home. Betty enjoyed a very rewarding career. Upon moving to Little Rock, her first job was in the offices of Winthrop and Jeanette Rockefeller, followed by employment at Arkansas School Services, Sears Roebuck and Company, and finally commercial property management, with her last 13 years of employment devoted to managing the Doctor's Building/Doctor's Complex. She and her husband Jack enjoyed travel and spent many hours having fun together driving throughout the southern states and east coast. Jack died in 2009 at the age of 94. Betty expressed great appreciation for the many people who assisted in making the last few years of her life more fun and enjoyable, including Marsha Cunningham and the staff at Parkway Village, Dr. Claudia Tolleson, Dr. Nancy Rector, Dr. Bob Searcy and his nurse Kristie, Dr. Theresa Travis of Hospice Home Care and their caring staff members. She expressed gratitude for the help she received from Richard Harless and his son Justin who, despite full-time job duties, were always available to help with household maintenance as well as with her garden and flowers which gave her pleasure through her final days. She also wished to thank Sandy Young, her hairdresser who provided her with movie reviews and fun times with the ‘girls', Adam Wheeler, her pharmacist from Tanglewood Drug, and Mike Martin and his untiring staff at Visiting Angels, especially Sandra whose sweet smile cheered her on every day. A private service and celebration of Betty's life will be held for the immediate family. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com A mother holds her children's hands for a while...their hearts forever.