Bettie Neal Sawyer Vaughn

Bettie Neal Sawyer Vaughn (“Bee” to her family), of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on June 18th, 2026 at the age of 82. She was born on October 11, 1943, in Opelousas, Louisiana, to Louis & Betty Sawyer. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Thomas Sawyer, & her sister, Ann Coorpender.

Bettie leaves behind her husband of 54 years, John, daughter Rebecca Vaughn (Jimmy), of Memphis, TN, sister Paula Buckley, of Natchitoches, LA, and several extended family members.

An avid nature lover, Bettie was happiest in her back yard, observing & chattering with her menagerie of birds, chipmunks, turtles, frogs, & the occasional rabbit. Her home was shared with numerous beloved pets throughout the years, most recently, her dog Bentley & cat Bella. Thankfully, the addition of only one pet involved Bettie going toe-to-toe with an officer of the Little Rock Police Department, an encounter that very nearly ended with her being put in the back of a patrol car rather than driving away with little Pepper. Any opportunity to recount this tale brought great joy and a mischievous sparkle to her blue eyes. Bettie’s trusty iPad was never far away, and as her outings became fewer, her savvy internet skills ensured that there was not one going-on that got by her. A fan of all Ole Miss Rebels sports, Bettie could be heard either rooting for or yelling at the team, depending on how the game was going. One other passion of Bettie’s was her local restaurants. To the teams at Trio’s, Delicious Temptations, El Porton, The Terrace, and others too numerous to list-thank you for always catering to her whims, no matter how unusual or off-menu! You were a highlight of her days and dear to her heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to one of two organizations that Bettie supported; Pulaski County Humane Society, https://warmhearts.org, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72210; or St. James United Methodist Church, https://stjameslr.org, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212.

The family will hold a private interment in the St. James Columbarium at a later date.