Obituaries

Betty Munsey

Photo of Betty Munsey
"Betty" Munsey was born Eula Virginia Moles, in the small hamlet of Providence in Greene County, Tennessee, October 27, 1914. The home where she was born was located across the field from the peaceful presence of the Providence Methodist church. Her faith and church remained central to her whole life. She grew up as one might think in that era before the Great Depression, working with her family on the farm, walking long distances to school or riding a horse when the weather was bad. Her childhood friends were faithful and true all through life. When she moved to a larger town as a young woman, she caught the eye of a young man who recognized a prize when he saw her. They were married three months after their first date, on November 18, 1939. She was his soulmate and helpmate, moving around the south with his job until they settled in Little Rock, AR in 1945. They joined First Baptist Church immediately and were active members for sixty-three years. Betty taught in the kindergarten Sunday school department for 30 or so years, retiring after her youngest grandchild went to first grade. It was in Little Rock that George invented the Munsey Oven Toaster so Betty would not have to heat up the kitchen to make buttered toast in the summer for their children. He started his manufacturing company in 1953. Together they grew the company into one that earned the appreciation of U.S. homemakers and the respect of the "Big Boys". When Betty continued her life in 1983 as a widow, she became dear friends with several women who were also entering this same season of life. They were in church together, grieved together, exercised three times a week together, traveled, celebrated birthdays and life together into their nineties. Betty moved to Bentonville in 2008 to be with family, but leaving behind in Little Rock family and longtime friends. In Bentonville, she enjoyed the opportunity to be with her grandchildren and great grandchildren with their visits and activities. She was always thrilled for a visit from, and a chance to see, her Son Ronny, and grandchildren, Brad and Brian and friends from Little Rock, especially her former pastor, John Wright and his wife, Jeannie. She is predeceased by her loving husband, George B. Munsey; her parents, Wilson H. and Charlotte McMackin Moles; her brothers, Harold and Emmett Moles; her sisters, Elsie Smith and Gladys Gregg, and grandson, George Bradley Munsey. She is survived by her son, Ronald L. Munsey, his wife, Rita; daughter, Peggy Smith, her husband, Richard; grandchildren, Brian Lee Munsey, his wife, Sandy, Ronald Blaine Munsey, Ashley Elaine Smith, Richard Brent Smith, his wife, Melody, Rebekah Smith Campbell, her husband, David; great-grandchildren, Janie and Leah Munsey, Zane, Gabriel, and Phoenix Smith, Coen, Rainey, and August Campbell. The family would like to offer special thanks to the staff at Concordia Arms in Bella Vista, AR and also, the staff at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock, Ark. for their loving care. Memorial may be made to: Hospice Home Care 2200 S. Bowman Road, Little Rock, AR 72211. or First Baptist Church 62 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72212. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300 with burial to follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the funeral home. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published April 16, 2013

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