Bettye Jean Hutt

Bettye Jean Hutt, 81, of Pine Bluff, died Tuesday, July 24, 2018. She was born September 17, 1936 in Pine Bluff, daughter of Matthew Thompson and Helen Rogers Thompson Zappe. Bettye Jean was raised by Orlando Zappe and Helen Rogers Thompson Zappe and received her early education in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1954. While at Pine Bluff High School, she was a cheerleader and herald line in the band. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She was very active in the Pine Bluff community. She was active in the Junior Auxiliary/Junior League of Pine Bluff, member and active volunteer at First Presbyterian Church, active in the Bess Jenkins Garden Club and Mathontees, active volunteer with the Arts and Science Center of Southeast Arkansas (including winning the Catherine Bellamy Award for her volunteerism and co-chairing Razzle Dazzle), served on the board of the Pine Bluff Country Club. Bettye Jean loved gardening, flowers, entertaining, her weekly bridge group and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Hutt Osborne. Survivors include her husband, Lara Finley Hutt, III, whom she married February 21, 1959 in Pine Bluff; two daughters, Lisa Hutt McCreight of Fort Worth, Texas and Susan Hutt Cooke of Nashville, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Lara Elizabeth McCreight, Molly Rose McCreight, Caroline Elizabeth Cooke, Charles Edward Cooke, Jr. and Finley Hutt Cooke; and one great-granddaughter, Neely Grace Tucker. Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend John Landis officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Presbyterian Church, 717 West 32nd Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 or charity of donor's choice. Arrangements were handled by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com).