Steven Alford Bettis

STEVEN ALFORD BETTIS, age 66, passed away May 25,2018. Steven was born June 23, 1951 in Davenport, Iowa, where he continued to live until he graduated high school, lettering in football, wrestling, and baseball. Steven's Dad, Roy Bettis started teaching Steven, at an early age, how to throw and catch a baseball. His competitive nature and God given talents for all sports were well known in Davenport. Scouts from Northeast Missouri State College saw Steven's fast pitching and his talent for stealing bases, and they immediately offered him a full ride scholarship to come play in Kirksville, Mo. There he was big man on campus and joined the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He served as the social chairman and was a top recruiter during rush for the fraternity. Also, Steven's picture was featured on the cover of NEMO's college campus magazine. During his senior year he met his future wife, Christine Koumas on a blind date at the college's homecoming. He immediately swept her off her feet, with his good looks and boyish charms, not to mention his amazing dance moves. Steven gave his fraternity lavalier to Christine to signify his commitment to a life together, and they dated for seven years before he proposed to her in St. Louis, Mo., where she was working. During their courtship, they enjoyed many hours at Thousand Hills State Park, where he was a life guard. They also drove for hours in the country in his red convertible Mustang and later his cherished 1979 Silver Trans Am. His love of cars continued into his later years for BMW's and his 1992 red convertible Corvette. Steven loved his family and devoted his free time to taking his children to the parks and swimming in the backyard pool. He followed his children's sports interests and attended every event with loving enthusiasm. Steven also raised his son to love baseball and football at an early age. He helped coach his son's baseball team, the ER Hogs, and proudly lead them to a regional state championship. Steven's career since high school was in grocery management. He worked his way up from stocking shelves to successfully managing several grocery stores for various companies. He retired at age 62, enjoying his days golfing, and walking at Two Rivers Park with his favorite companion, Mattie, a rescued Welsh Terrier. He enjoyed working out, cooking, tending to his beautiful home, and spending quality time with his wife, Christine. Steven also loved playing with his three grandchildren, Oliver, Oscar, and Alba. Steven was preceded in death by his father Roy Alford Bettis, his mother, Barbara Jeanne Brooke, and his sister, Cathy Ann Thomas. Surviving him is his beloved wife Christine Koumas of Little Rock Ark., his daughter Ashley Anne Bettis, son Ryan Alford Bettis and grandchildren Oliver and Oscar Garcia and Alba Rei Bettis, Steven's sister Jennifer Kay Bettis of Carlsbad, Calif., and brother, Thomas Allen Bettis of Davenport, Iowa. A memorial service will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Roller Chenal Funeral home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501) 224-8300 with Pastor Dan Hauser officiating. A visitation will begin at 4 p.m. prior to the service. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.