Betty Sue Skipper

Betty Sue Skipper, age 85, of Shannon Hills, Ark., passed away in her sleep Friday, September 17, 2021. She was born on September 21, 1935, in Hot Spring County to the late Frank and Lois Stiles. Betty grew up in Rolla and Lono communities. The oldest of four sisters, Betty was often found behind her camera capturing special moments in time. She found great joy though giving back to her family. After graduation, Betty married Ralph Knickerbocker and attended the School of Cosmetology in Little Rock. Throughout her career, Betty was dedicated to making her ladies beautiful and had a large salon clientele. In addition to her career, Betty raised two children who graduated high school and enlisted into the U.S. Air Force. James and Janet, both, made the decision to make the Air Force their career and retired honorably. Even after retirement, she continued to be a positive force in her community, serving as City Alderman of Shannon Hills. She was loved and respected by community leaders as well as friends and relatives. Betty had a strong Christian faith and is now with her Heavenly Father. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Frank Stiles and Lois Harkins Stiles; sister, Emma Lea Chastain; and her daughter, Janet Sue Kirkham. She is survived by her son, James Glenn Knickerbocker, and his wife, Linda, of Prattville Ala.; two grandsons, Christopher and Michael Ryan; one granddaughter, Rebecca Ryan; sister, Audrey Smith of Texarkana, Texas; sister, Edie Tuggle and her husband, Don Tuggle, of Bryant, Ark.; brother-in-law, Hoyt Chastain Sr. of Montgomery, Ala.; nephews, Hoyt Chastain Jr., Wayne Chastain, and John Chastain; nieces, Cheryl Bloomdahl, Donna Falls, and Lori Emerson; plus 13 great-nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, September 24, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Atkinson Funeral Home Chapel in Malvern, Ark. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 10 a.m. in Atkinson Chapel with Hoyt Chastain Jr officiating. Burial will follow at Lono Cemetery. Arrangements were made under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home of Malvern, Ark. Guest may register at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net