Betty Pryor Wilkes

Betty Pryor Wilkes, 96, of Maumelle, Ark., passed away on Oct. 21, 2022. She was born to the late Myrtice and Willis Pryor in Morrilton, Ark. on July 30, 1926. Betty was a resident of Little Rock, Ark. before moving to Maumelle to be closer to her daughter; Sammye Ryals and son-in-law Glenn. Betty entered Arkansas State Teacher's College at the age of sixteen while still attending high school. Upon graduation from high school, Betty earned eighteen college hours. She continued her college education at ASTC, earning a BSE in 1947. She was a member of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society as well as Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. Five days after graduation she married Samuel Marlon Wilkes and was married to him until his passing in 2005. She later earned a Postgraduate certificate in Vision from Little Rock University. Betty was employed at the Arkansas School for the Blind for 34 years. She also taught first and second grade at the Little Red Schoolhouse for two years. Betty was a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she and her husband dedicated eleven years to polishing and maintaining the brass in the sanctuary. She was also involved in Vacation Bible School and the church Craft Circle. Betty loved to shop, read and walk at Park Plaza Mall. She enjoyed creating "pretties" with her husband and friends, scrapbooking, and learning to paint with watercolors. She loved working side by side with her husband for several years making and selling cute, decorative country-style items to Habersham's, a once popular store in Little Rock. Betty is survived by her daughter; Sammye Ryals, and her son-in-law Glenn. Memorials can be made to Presbyterian Village, 510 North Brookside Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205, or to Alzheimer's Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Her daughter would like to thank Willow Grove of Maumelle and Kindred Hospice for their care, understanding, and compassion. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Morrilton, Ark. by Hospice Chaplain Ted Grove. To sign the online guest book, please visit, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal