Betty Henson

Betty Lou Henson of Austin, Ark., passed away on April 25, 2020, at age 86.

She primarily grew up in Kerman, Calif., to James Harve and Talma Marylou (Hallum) Hendrix.

She married Robert Henson in 1951, and they lived in Ukiah, Calif., with their four children for a period before making their home in Arkansas ─ Dardanelle and later in Austin. Robert held several positions to include serving as minister, primarily at Woodrow Church of Christ in Vilonia.

Betty never missed an opportunity to attend worship; gospel meetings; ladies Bible class; singings; nursing home services;gatherings with church members, family and friends; and family reunions. In addition to her church service, she worked for more than 40 years in food service at hospitals and nursing homes that included a certification from the University of Florida and later in labor and delivery at Rebsamen Medical Center in Jacksonville, Ark.

In her retirement, she was an active member of the Beebe Church of Christ; cooked for summer camps at Camp Caudle;and regularly enjoyed quilting, painting, gardening, crafting, sharing these talented gifts with loved ones, and sweets.

Along with her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Robert; brothers A.J. Hendrix, Alfred Hendrix and W.T. Hendrix; sisters Cova Ward, Frankie McEwen, Leeza Sisco and Lois Garner; and grandson Matthew Henson.

Betty is survived by one brother James (Marlene) Hendrix of Ukiah, Calif.; sisters, Joy Hendrix and Berdie Horn of Kerman, Calif.; and Lillian Walters of Clovis, Calif.; children Ron Henson (Paulette) of Clinton, Rita Henson of Austin, Raymond (Betsi) Henson of Austin and Rex Henson of Hector; 10 grandchildren Candy Henson of Albuquerque, N.M., Chadwick (Melissa) Henson of Jonesboro, Robin (Mark) Mizell of Rogers, Richard (Brittany) Holt of Danville, Nancy Wisdom of Cabot, Jenifer (Jarrod) Loar of Ward, Lee (Andrea) Henson of Hector, Chase (Shelly) Henson of Albuquerque, N.M., Deanna (Willie) Henson Rich of Hector, and Amanda (Jonathan) Henson-Gerlach of Dardanelle; three step-grandchildren Carrie (Micahel) Womble, Nicole (Brandon) Norrell and Eric Mansfield; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

A private family graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 at McCutchen Cemetery in Newton County.  Memorials may be made to Camp Caudle at www.campcaudle.org or 857 SR 164 N, Hector, AR 72843. Arrangements by Smith - Westbrook Funeral Home.  www.smithfamilycares.com