Betty Joyce Black

Betty Joyce Black, 82, of Pocahontas, Ark., passed away in Jonesboro, Ark., on Sept. 11, 2014. Born July 1, 1932, in Hornersville, Mo. to Omer and Kate Pender, she was sister to Bill Pender and Jackie Higginbottom. She graduated from Biggers-Reyno High School in 1951. She was married to James McDowell Black Jr. on Jan. 1, 1953 in Reyno, Ark., by Brother Barney Richmond. Their attendants were Bill and Sally Pender. She was preceded in death by her father, Omer; her mother, Kate; her sister, Jackie; her brother, Bill; and husband of 59 years, James. With an unconditional love for her family, Betty is survived by three children, Charles Black (Sara) of Amarillo, Texas, Barbara Becker (Jim) of Jonesboro, Ark., and Beverly Joyner (Jerry) of Searcy Ark. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Megan Sims (Justin), Ian Black, Stephenie Pender Black, Buckley Bridges (Emily), Haley Starnes (Brandon), Jessica Walls, Mallory Mathis, McDowell Mathis; and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 14 from 2-5 p.m. at McNabb Funeral Home in Pocahontas. Funeral service will be held Monday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Pocahontas, with burial to follow at the Masonic Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Brother Rocky Starnes, with the following pallbearers: grandson, Ian Black, grandson, Buckley Bridges, grandson, McDowell Mathis, nephew, Doug Pender, nephew, Mike Pender, Brandon Starnes, Barry Ford, and James Tucker. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome at James & Betty's church home, the First United Methodist Church of Pocahontas.