Betty Jane Clinton Fureigh

BETTY JANE CLINTON FUREIGH, a beacon to all who knew her, died from heart surgery complications on Nov. 23, 2016. She would not want her age to be stated here, so let it only be noted she was born on August 1st during the second year of the Herbert Hoover administration. She was born Betty Jane Clinton in Oxford, Arkansas, and graduated from high school in Portia, Ark. She was a tomboy, lithe and athletic. Betty was predeceased by her father, James Harmon Clinton, a school principal and basketball coach who endearingly named her "pest," her mother, Katherine Ione Sears Clinton, an older brother Bailey, an older sister Dee, and her son Dennis Ray Fureigh. Her younger brother and "lifelong twin in spirit" James Harmon Clinton Jr. survives her as well as her husband Ray, daughter in law Janelle, and granddaughter Joanna. On a blind date in 1951, she met her lifelong mate, Ray Fureigh, a "man's man" who would have his hands full the remainder of Betty's life. Betty's hair was red and, though always controlled, she could clearly "hold her own." Betty and Ray led a wonderful life together, sharing the good and supporting one another through the bad for just over 65 years. They had one child, Dennis Ray Fureigh. During his youth, Betty dedicated herself to raising Dennis, and never missed any church, school or any other activities in which Dennis participated. The greatest grief Betty and Ray ever carried together was from the loss of Dennis to his own health complications on Nov. 30, 2006. However, when he was lost, Dennis had matured to adulthood, was married to his wife Janelle, and had a daughter, Joanna Elizabeth Fureigh, now capable of carrying the beacon that was her grandmother to a new generation. Around 1970, Betty Fureigh, seeking to advance herself individually and professionally, entered into her second career selling real estate, the first career having been the attentive mother. In the next twenty years, she quickly climbed to the real estate broker level and put together a well-known and highly respected real estate company working up to approximately twenty agents. In that capacity, she put together a very broad base of friends, all of whom know of her real, unconditional love, first, for her family – but Betty Fureigh had a greater capacity, and her many friends knew also of her "steel Magnolia" loyalty and love. Ray and Betty delighted in the sport and ceremony of horse racing for many years. Betty was an avid reader and lover of music of all kinds, especially the Bee Gees and Rod Stewart. Betty's love of the outdoors cultivated as a child remained a part of her throughout adulthood and loved to spend time at the lake in Hot Springs as well as on their farm in Guy. More than anything, she loved to spend time at the beach, where we are certain she is now. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28 at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W Markham in Little Rock. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N Mississippi St in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or to the kind and outstanding doctors and nurses of the cardiovascular ICU of CHI St. Vincent. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.