Betty Jo Holt

The final School bell rang and Betty Jo Holt of Fordyce joined her Lord and Savior on the Sabbath Day, February 9, 2014. Born in Altheimer, Ark. on January 8, 1925, she was an incredible 89 Years old. She was a professional educator who earned he Bachelor of Science in Math at Arkansas State Teachers College, now UCA, and received her Masters of Science in Math at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. She taught 24 years on the high school level and 8 years on the college level. She worked at Hampton, Fordyce and Rison High Schools and Henderson State University and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She later substituted at Kingsland and Fordyce. She was a member and past state vice-president of Delta Kappa Gamma and was a lecturer for many years with Weight Watchers. In 1967, she opened the 4-Dice Restaurant and Station and was active in management till the end. She dearly loved her family, friends and her church. She was married July 4, 1942 to Edward Pershing Holt who was a new member of the Army-Air Corps. His pre and wartime military career required Betty to travel all over the U.S. During this period she gave birth to a special needs son, John Edward Holt. With complete approval and encouragement from her husband she continued to pursue her education. She had two more boys, George Cater and Paul Louis Holt. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. John Dee and Emily Sophronia Kauffman Carter; sister, Reba Maunee Carter Lybrand (Jack); brother, Paul Theron Carter; husband, Edward Pershing Holt; and son, John Edward Holt. Left to celebrate her life are sons, George Carter Holt (Kris) of Kingsland, and Paul Louis Holt, (Kaye) of Fordyce; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; nephew, Joe Dee Lybrand (Sylvia) of Heber Springs and a host of friends, medical professionals, and former students, too many to name and thank. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Benton Funeral Home, Fordyce, with a celebration of her life with open testimonials at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church of Fordyce with Rev. Rusty Ross presiding. Interment following at Oakland Cemetery, Fordyce. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Fordyce. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.