Betty Lou Whittaker

Betty Lou Bowen Whittaker, who proudly served as the Court Clerk for the City of Johnson, Ark., for more than 25 years, transcended from this life on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in Bentonville, Ark., after a courageous two-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 64. Betty was born on Sept. 9, 1948, in Kingston, Ark., to Truman and Dorothy Eoff Bowen. Granny "B," as she was affectionately known, attended Springdale High School and lived in the towns of Kingston and Springdale, Ark., and attended the First Assembly of God Church in Kingston. She took great pride in serving the City of Johnson. During her career, Betty served as President of the State, was a member of the 39th District Court Clerks Association and was named County Court Clerk of the Year in 2000. In a public dedication ceremony this past April, the City of Johnson formally renamed its judicial chamber The Betty Whittaker Court and Meeting Room as a testament to her contributions. Betty's true passion was spending time with family and friends. She found great joy in traveling and the thrill of "junking," in search of that hard-to-find antique. She filled her days reading good books, growing flowers at the farmhouse and working the bees with Pa. Our own Queen "B" loved the color purple and if you hadn't heard by now, her Thanksgiving dressing is something of lore. She braved every challenge pancreatic cancer threw at her with grace and determination. She was a superwoman with an undeniable fighter's spirit. Betty joins in grace her mother, father and sister, Fern Robbins. Betty's memory will be held closest by her loving husband of 41 years, Richard Dale Whittaker; brother, Darriel Bowen and wife, Orpha; sister, Chrystene McKenzie and husband, Sonny; brother, Jimmy David Bowen and wife, Karla; daughter, Kimberly Whittaker and Michelle Kelly; daughter, Sonya Worley and husband, Tim; daughter, Tonya White and husband, Greg; daughter, Jacquetta Rivard and husband, Russ; and son, Bill Mason and wife, Katherine. Betty touched the lives of nine beautiful and loving grandchildren, including Rachel and Rebekah Worley, Jessi and Levi White, Ariel and Sasha Mason and Austin, Madison and Jacie-Rae Rivard; as well as six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty received the best possible medical care thanks to the doctors and nurses at Baylor Cancer Center in Dallas, especially Dr. McCollum, Dr. Preskitt and Denise. Immeasurable thanks goes out to all who visited and prayed for Betty. A celebration of Betty's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013, at First Assembly of God Church, Huntsville, Ark., followed by interment at Liberty Church and Cemetery in Dry Fork, Ark. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2013, at Brashears Funeral Home, Huntsville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.