Betty Jean (Smith) Benton

Betty Jean Benton, 84, of Benton, AR, and a former resident of Poplar Bluff passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at Saline Memorial Hospice Inpatient Facility in Benton, AR. Betty was born Oct. 5, 1928, in St. Louis, MO. On Nov. 27, 1947, she married the love of her life, Vernon Benton, Jr. in Piggott, AR. Betty was a schoolteacher before she obtained a Masters Degree in Business Administration. After a career of many years in Human Resources and Insurance and Securities, she became a Real Estate Agent in Poplar Bluff. Music and genealogy were very important to her. Her avid passion for genealogy was her career after retirement. She was of the Baptist faith and served as secretary, teacher and enjoyed singing in a quartet with her husband Vernon. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Vernon Benton, Jr. (Tootie) of Benton, AR; a brother, Rev. George Waldon Smith (retired) and his wife, Wanda, of O'Fallon, MO; and several nieces, nephews and many great, great-great, and great-great-great nieces and nephews living in Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, and Utah. She will be greatly missed. Her parents, George and Mayme Smith; a brother, Wilson Smith; a sister, Gladys Eaker; sisters-in-law, Helen Smith and Mae Smith; brothers-in-law, Calvin Ham and Curt Eaker; and a niece, Diana Eaker Reid, preceded her in death. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with Rev. Joyce Curtis officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity.