Betty McNealy Krenz

BETTY MCNEALY KRENZ, 86, of Little Rock passed away surrounded by loved ones on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. She was born on Jul. 21, 1928 in Little Rock, Ark. to the late James Paul and Pansy Morris McNealy. She had a wonderful childhood growing up in Gurdon, Ark. and attended both Henderson and Arkansas College, majoring in speech and drama. After college, Betty worked in radio as a traffic director and writer. She was actively involved as an advocate for women's prison reform and a volunteer teacher of modeling and self-development courses both at the Arkansas State Training School for Girls and The School for the Blind. As a passionate philanthropist, she was honored to be one of the original board members of the Arkansas Aids Foundation. In 1970, she began her lifelong career in real estate. As a trailblazer and advocate for women's rights, she was proud to open one of the first real estate companies in West Little Rock owned by women. For the next 44 years, she was an innovative salesperson and broker. Truly a Renaissance woman, at one point she sold antiques, French perfume, and Godiva chocolate while simultaneously running a real estate company, all under one roof. She was married to Louis Traylor Lasley from 1954 to 1956 and they had one daughter, Karen Lee. In 1958, she met Joseph A. Krenz Jr. on a blind date. They were married for 20 years, and they remained lifelong friends and companions. Left to honor and remember Betty are her daughter, Karen Miller of Houston, Texas; grandson, Daniel Miller of Lowell, Ark.; granddaughter, Sarah Miller of Pensacola, Fla. and many close friends and family members. A special thanks goes to her loving and devoted caregivers over the past two years. Betty's passion for life and her wholehearted love and devotion to her family and friends will never be forgotten. Her loved ones will forever cherish the memories of her adventurous spirit, strength, fierce loyalty and lifelong quest for knowledge. A gravesite service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville, Ark. The family hopes you will join them for a celebration of Betty's life in Little Rock from 5– 7 p.m. For location and directions, please call Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arkansas Aids Foundation, 523 South Louisiana Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.