Betty Mabrey

Betty Chronister Mabrey was born to Beatrice and O. B. Chronister on May 31, 1928 in Russellville, Arkansas and passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 in Little Rock. She grew up on Park Hill in NLR, graduating from North Little Rock High. She attended the U of A at Fayetteville for two years before marrying Thomas A Mabrey. They then lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Amarillo, Texas for short periods before moving back to North Little Rock.
She was the proud and loving mother of two boys, Berlin Davis and William Thomas Mabrey, for whom she was a tireless teacher, coach and cheerleader. Betty and Tom where founding members of Lakewood United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for their boys through the 6th grade. She was active in their schools serving the PTA for Lakewood Elementary, Hall High, and Catholic High schools.
Betty loved North Little Rock and the North Little Rock Junior League, serving as president for two years. She hounded Mayor Casey Lamen into giving the League a house in the Argenta region of NLR for their functions. She would not take "no" for an answer. Her, and her many friends, had a Garden Club and Bridge Club. According to everyone, they neither played bridge nor gardened, but the meetings where a grand time.
She was a strong and energetic lady. After her children went to college she worked first as a court reporter, then in real estate, and subsequently for the Arkansas Agency for Aging doing their "meals on wheels" program. In the late 70s, she went to work for Jim Goodwin at the James F Goodwin Travel Agency. She had found a work home, loving the people she worked with, and for, as well as her clients. While working there she got to travel all over the world and found a new passion, with highlights including a cooking tour on a French river cruise and a photo safari and camping trip through Kenya. She finally retired at the age of 80 and remained sharp and active until the end of her earthly life. She was a strong lady filled with love for God, family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father O. B. Chronister and mother Beatrice Chronister. She is survived by her two sons Beau (wife Fara) and Bill Mabrey. The grandchildren she loved so much, Anna Mabrey (Beau), Beatrice Robeson and Anthony (Beau and Fara), William Jr and wife Kara, John and Matthew (Bill). She has two great grandchildren Josephine Rose (Beatrice and Bryan) and William Thomas III (William and Kara). She completely covered her house with pictures of these great grandchildren and was able to be with, and hold, both before her death. It was the joy of her last year of life.
Special thanks are owed to the wonderful people who did such a great job of loving and caring for Betty in the last year of her life, Diane, Henry, and Andrea Smith, all of whom Betty loved and laughed with, Kay, Janet, Janie and all the Synergy people who loved and gave so much of themselves, Dr. Ron Hardin and his angelic nurse, Denise, who did so much for Betty in a loving and joyful fashion, Dr. Laura Otter, who worked so patiently with Betty, who really didn't like going to the doctor or taking medicines.
For the past 6 months, Andrea Smith would read to Betty from "Jesus Calling" or from The Bible. This brought Betty great joy as she struggled to read for herself. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arkansas Enterprises for The Developmentally Disabled or the Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Center.
Memorial Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Church. A visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2018, followed by a rosary service at 7:00 p.m., at the church. Arrangements by Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home.