Betty Danner

Betty Danner, age 83, of Springdale, Arkansas passed away Aug. 14, 2014, at the Maples Nursing Home in Springdale. She was born Sept. 21, 1930, in Houston, Texas, a daughter of John William Mooney and Lovie Lee Byars Mooney. She loved the ranching community, growing up on the back of her horse and competing in local rodeo events. She left home to attend Jacksonville College, where she met and married Bill. After Bill's graduation, they immediately entered the Ministry, serving with the Missionary Baptist Association in various churches, until they were sent to the territory of Hawaii in 1954. After eight years they returned to the mainland and took positions with several churches in Texas and Arkansas, serving as pastors, teachers, counselors and musicians. In every calling, Betty migrated to the children, organizing programs and teaching them about God's word and his plan of salvation. Betty also worked with children in the community, serving in the children's program at the Springdale Public Library, local daycares and neighborhood bible studies. She wrote children's stories used in all of her children's ministries. While Betty loved all children, she was particularly proud of and loved her grandchildren. She never passed up an opportunity to tell them she loved them and spent countless hours holding them, playing any game, watching their activities and praying for them. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, the Rev. Bill Danner; two sons, Robert Danner and Michael Danner; and a sister, Joyce Daffin. Betty is survived by her three children, Tim Danner and wife Kelly of Tulsa, Okla., Cheri Thompson and husband Larry of Rogers, Ark., and Steve Danner and wife Hong of St. Cloud, Minn.; and six grandchildren, Patrick Danner and wife Jillian of Tulsa, Okla., Matthew Danner and wife McKalyn of Oklahoma City, Okla., Michael Danner and fiance Hallie Kilavos of Nashville, Tenn., Mary Kate Thompson of Fort Worth, Texas, Marcus Danner of St. Cloud, Minn., and William Thompson of Rogers, Ark. Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Chapel in Springdale on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, at 3-5 p.m. Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, at the First Christian Church, 905 S. 13th Street in Rogers, Ark., with Pastor Shawn Wallace to officiate the service. A private Committal service will follow at the Shady Grove Cemetery in Springdale, Ark. Please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com to sign an online guest book.