Barbara Benton Patty

Barbara Benton Patty passed away on February 21, 2014, following a brief illness. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 22, 1943, and was raised in Fordyce, Arkansas. Her parents were Sarah Kathryn Rhodes Benton and William Robert "W.R." Benton, Jr, both of Fordyce. She attended the Fordyce schools, graduating from Fordyce High School (Home of the Red Bugs) as Valedictorian in 1960. She then attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts, earning her Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science in 1964. Her time at Wellesley was very impactful and she remained a dedicated alumna throughout her life. After graduating from Wellesley, she moved to Washington D.C. and worked in Public Affairs for the United States Department of Education from 1964 to 1966. In 1966, she returned to Arkansas and worked in the Winthrop Rockefeller Gubernatorial Campaign, then as the Executive Assistant to Lt. Governor Maurice "Footsie" Britt. Following her work with Lt. Gov. Britt, she held multiple leadership positions at the Arkansas Department of Labor from 1968 to 1971, ultimately serving as Acting Commissioner of Labor. While living in Little Rock, she met Claibourne W. "Clay" Patty, Jr. on a blind date arranged by Richard Butler, Jr. Richard never misses an opportunity to remind Patty family members of this fact. Barbara and Clay married in May, 1968, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and had sons Claibourne, III in 1971 and Jordan in 1975. Beginning in 1971, Barbara became a stay at home mother, but maintained an active life outside of the home. As her sons grew older, the family enjoyed many weekends in Hot Springs together and annual summer trips throughout the United States, during which time Barbara would show her sons many, many historical and geographical sites. Throughout her time in Little Rock, Barbara was committed to her community and its advancement. Among her many activities, she was a dedicated parishioner of Christ Episcopal Church, was a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild (President, 1973-1975), served in the Volunteers in the Public Schools (President, 1979-1980), was active in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society (President, 1982-1983), and sang in both the Christ Episcopal Church choir and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Chorus. In the mid-1980s, Barbara pursued a new career in education. She taught fourth grade at East End Elementary from 1986 to 1988, then fifth grade at Pulaski Heights Elementary from 1990 to 1993, winning multiple awards for her teaching ability. During this time, she also obtained her Master of Science in Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1989, earning the Dean's Citation of Excellence for her 4.0 GPA. In 1993, she moved from teaching to working in the Arkansas Department of Education, serving as the Social Studies Specialist in Academic Standards and Assessment from 1993 to 2000, then as a Program Advisor in Professional Quality Enhancement from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, Barbara decided it was time to retire. Although technically "retired," Barbara remained quite busy by pursuing activities that greatly enriched her life. Among her many interests, she joined the Pulaski County Master Gardner Program in 2005, working on the Clinton Library Scholars Garden and the Arkansas Arts Center Courtyards. She also became a docent at the Arkansas Arts Center, learning about many exhibits and installations while assisting visitors. Retirement also allowed Barbara more time to be more involved with the Little Rock Aesthetic Club, becoming President in 2013. Although she had many interests in life, Barbara's (or Bee, as her grandchildren called her) greatest joy was spending time with family, all of whom will miss her deeply but cherish her memory. Her survivors include husband, Claibourne Watkins Patty Jr.; brother, William Evans Benton; sons (and their wives), Claibourne Watkins Patty III (April) and William Jordan Patty (Julie); beloved grandchildren, Eliza Kathryn (11), Nathaniel Claibourne (5), Eleanor Margaret (2), and Ethan Nicholas (1). A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock on Friday, February 28, 2014, at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Scott Walters officiating. A private interment will take place at Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. The family will receive visitors at the family home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2014. In lieu of flowers, Barbara's family asks that memorials be made to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Christ Episcopal Church Endowment Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.