Betty Sons

Betty Sons passed away February 24, 2019 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Betty Jo Blakely Sons was born the 10th of 13 children on March 23, 1936 in Frisco, Texas to Franzel Mayfield Blakely and Zula Ayers Knight Blakely.  She graduated from Sanger High School and married J.C. “Cotton” Sons in 1955, and had one daughter, Teresa Lynn, in 1958.  Betty retired from Moore Business Forms after 30 years of service, but continued to work until 2015 for Gainesville Printing in Gainesville, Texas, The Vintage Retirement Center in Denton, Texas, and Group Living in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, respectively.

Betty took great pride in her extended family and her work.  She was a compassionate person, full of joy and humor she shared with all.  Intelligent, outgoing and fiercely loyal, Betty formed lasting friendships throughout her life.  She was widely known as “Grandma” to almost everyone she encountered.  She enjoyed spending time with her beloved pets, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and never missed a major event in their lives.

She is preceded in death by her husband, J.C. “Cotton” Sons; mother, Zula Ayers Knight Blakely; father, Franzel Mayfield Blakely; brothers Royce Cordell Blakely, Hershell Ozell Blakely, Franzel Mayfield Jr. Blakely, Jack Nick Blakely, Bobby Gene Blakely, Charles Edward Blakely; and sisters Hazel Beatrice Blakely Seagraves, Verdie Lois Blakely Reagan, and Georgia Nell Blakely Lang.

She is survived by her daughter, Teresa Sons of Sundown, Texas; grandchildren Amber James and Ronny Day of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Zeb Strickland of Tioga, Texas, Zec and Barbara Strickland of McKinney, Texas; great-grandchildren Zane Rosewell of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Ava and Isabella Haycox of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Easton and Presslyn Strickland of Tioga Texas, and Harrison Strickland of McKinney, Texas; brother Frank Blakely of Tehachapi, California; sisters Mary Jane Claytor of Crossroads, Texas, and Liz Cutropia of Houston, Texas; 29 nieces and nephews; and many “adopted” children and grandchildren which she treated as her own.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor can be made to:

Humane Society of Clark County

627 Walnut Street

Arkadelphia, AR 71923

870-245-2579

A graveside memorial will be held at a later date.