Betty Rose Smith

Betty Rose Runyan Smith, age 89, departed this life to be with her Lord on November 13, 2018. She joins her Big Boy (uncle), her sweet mother and the rest of her family. She was a loving wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Harold Smith, four brothers and one sister. Betty Rose was born October 27, 1929 in Tripp Junction, Ark. between Tillar and McGhee, to Harry Phillip and Lyda Maude Runyan. She grew up on a dairy farm in Desha County, the youngest of seven, Betty Rose milked cows with her mother and delivered milk with her father in McGhee, Ark. She graduated from Tillar High School in 1947 where she played guard in "6 man" basketball. It was this year that she met the love of her life, Billy Harold, from Gould, Ark. Billy Harold saw her picture on the refrigerator in Mama Burns' Grocery and Filling Station and asked who she was, then told everyone in the store, "I'm going to marry her". He went on to meet Betty Rose in person at the Tillar High School gym following one of her basketball games. Betty Rose and Billy Harold married on January, 28 1949. They moved to West Memphis in 1954 where they lived until August of 1972 when Billy's job transferred them to Fort Smith. They lived in Fort Smith until 1990 when Billy retired and they were able to return to their beloved West Memphis and lots of dear friends. Betty Rose became President of the Meadowbrook Country Club Ladies Golf Association and traveled the state sharing her love for the game. Together, she and Billy Harold enjoyed many rounds of golf with those dear friends as well as rekindling old and lasting friendships. She leaves behind her children; daughter, Cindy Lou Bius (Bill) of Marion, daughter, Mary Ruth Thompson (Nick) of Little Rock and son, Tommy Smith (Anne) of Bald Knob. Grandchildren include Mica Manning Morales (Zach) of Little Rock, Morgan Manning of Austin, Texas, Paige Thompson Skelton (Will) of Fayetteville, CJ Thompson of Little Rock, Jamie Moise of Little Rock, Nicki Miller (Phillip) of Searcy, and Jared Moise (Janell) of Searcy. Great-Grandchildren include Miles, Marin, McKenna, Madison, McKenley, Kennedy, Peighton and Liam. Betty Rose was able to give back to her community by being a member of the West Memphis Junior Auxiliary, Bragg Elementary School PTA President and worked for a time at the St. Francis Levee District in West Memphis. She and her husband were members of First United Methodist Church in West Memphis where she was active in Women's Circle. Betty Rose and Billy Harold were also members of the John Mack Smith Sunday School Class for forty eight years. In 1968, she went to work for the Arkansas Tourist Information Center in West Memphis and in 1969 she was selected to represent the state of Arkansas at the World Expo in Toronto, Canada. She loved cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks and was a true fan, win or lose. The family would like to thank all the lovely people who compassionately cared for Betty Rose in her later years. The love and prayers extended to the family by friends and loved ones are especially appreciated during this time. There will be a graveside service on Friday, November 16 at 1 p.m. at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion, Ark. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 212 North Missouri, West Memphis, Ark. 72301 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or at cancer.org. Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock will oversee the service. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.