Betty Darlene Potter was born December 19, 1936, to Marion ”Bee” and Opal (Sutton) Potter. She was born and grew up in the Noricks Chapel area on Misenheimer Road surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended school through the 5th grade at Noricks Chapel School. She moved to Mountain View school in 6th grade and graduated there in 1955.
During high school, Betty loved working at the Rainbow Café for the Jones family. She often told stories of the many fond memories she had there.
After graduation in 1955, she married Gerald ”Von” Ward April 30, 1956. They were married 55 years before his passing in 2011. They lived in Wichita, KS for about two years, where Von worked for Boeing. Their first child, Becky, was born there in 1957. By March of 1958, they had moved back home to Mountain View, where Von began working for the U.S. Forest Service.
Their second child, Doug, was born in 1959 while they were building the house they lived in the rest of their lives on the family farm.
In 1965, her little family was complete when Kelly was born. Betty was busy being a homemaker, raising three children, raising a big garden, and canning the food from it. She also helped Von and her parents with three large chicken houses on the farm. Betty was an excellent seamstress. She made many of her children’s clothes, as well as her own.
When her children were older, Betty worked for the Blanchard Shirt Factory and Modern Builders Supply as a bookkeeper. She retired from public work to take care of her grandchildren. She was a wonderful ”Nana” to five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Betty always wanted to learn to paint. She took lessons and became an excellent artist. She taught many people to paint through lessons offered at her art studio. She was a respected member of the Art Guild.
Betty was a person of deep, abiding faith in Jesus Christ. She was a member of the School Ave. Church of Christ. She taught Bible classes, VBS, and was involved in the quilting ministry for years. She and Von made sure the family was at every service and activity at church. She led by example. She firmly believed that training her children and grandchildren to love the Lord was her highest calling in this life. At the end of her life, she said she was ready to see the Lord. She slipped into eternity May 14, 2025, in Searcy, AR at the age of 88.
Left to carry on her legacy are daughter, Becky (Tommy) Taylor of Mountain View, son, Doug of Jonesboro, AR, daughter Kelly (Chip) Davis of Dardanelle AR. Grandchildren Amber (Stacie) Taylor, Brad (Callie) Taylor, Drew (Sierra) Davis, Derek Davis, and Tiffany Ward. Great-grandchildren Tucker Taylor, Tate Taylor, Bradlee Taylor, Zelda Davis, and Ophelia Opal Davis. Brother and Sister-In-Law, Fred, Joan Ward and Sister-In-Laws Billie Ward Simpson and Lila Ward, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Cousins Larry and Jane Freeze, Pam and Lee Whidden, and Bruce and Pat Helms.
Proceeding in death are her parents, M.B. and Opal Potter, and husband, Von Ward, and sister-in-law, Norma Lee Jessen. Brother-in-laws Kenneth Ward, Carroll Ward, Lon Simpson, and Bob Jessen.
Visitation will be held at School Avenue Church of Christ, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 1:00-2:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at the School Avenue Church of Christ, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Flatwoods Cemetery. Officiating will be Brad Taylor, Amber Taylor, Brother Finis Brewer, and John Dan Kemp.
Pallbearers are Tommy Cleveland, Tim Gammill, Duane Porterfield, Freddy Ward, Scott Ward, and Dana Woods. Honorary Pallbearers are Amber Taylor, Brad Taylor, Drew Davis, Tiffany Ward, and Derek Davis.
Roller Crouch Funeral Home of Mountain View is in charge of these arrangements.
