Betty Jean Churchwell

Betty Jean Churchwell, 85, of Searcy, formerly of Griffithville passed away on September 23, 2025, at the Woodruff County Health Center.  She was born on February 28, 1940, to the late Thomas and Lorean (Wallace) Ethridge in Reagan, TN.

Betty married the love of her life, John Churchwell, on October 5, 1957.  After 53 years of marriage, John passed away in February of 2011.

After a long career at Speed Queen, she retired at the age of 62, finding happiness in her hobbies and family.

She was known for being a good cook. Her dedication in preparing hearty home-cooked meals for her family, even after long workdays, gave her great satisfaction.  The stories of homemade biscuits, chocolate gravy, and bacon awaiting her kids and grandkids showed her warmth and generosity.

Tending to her gardens brought her extreme joy.  Together with her husband, they always grew a large garden, often sharing the fruits of their labor with family and friends.  Betty’s love for flowers was evident in her numerous flowerbeds, which burst with color and vibrancy, much like her spirit.

Betty took great pride in her home and appearance by keeping her home clean and welcoming.  Every Saturday morning was dedicated to deep cleaning.  She believed that a clean home was a happy home.  Ironing was her form of relaxation.  She always wanted everything  wrinkle free, even her husband’s handkerchiefs.  Her signature hairstyle and perfectly chosen outfits completed her image as a woman of grace and confidence.

 One of the greatest joys in her retirement was the time she and her husband spent caring for their first-born great-grandson, Rome.  Those days together in the garden planting seeds, pulling weeds, harvesting watermelons or simply sitting down for an afternoon cup of coffee strengthened their bond and enriched her life.  Several years later, her heart was blessed even more with the addition of numerous great-grandchildren.

Betty’s life was one of nurturing, devotion, and hardworking and her legacy will continue to bloom in the hearts of her family and friends, just as the flowers in her beloved gardens.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Patsy (Terry) Bice of Des Arc, AR, her grandchildren, Derek (Whitney) Blackwood of West Point, AR, Kevin (Christina) Blackwood of Judsonia, AR, Kelly (Randy) Williams of Des Arc, AR, Wesley (Danielle) Churchwell, Alex (Haleigh) Churchwell, both of McRae, AR and Ashley (Shannon) Bice of Fayetteville, AR, her great grandchildren, Rome, Lawson, Jax, Erin, John Thomas, Truett, Keaton, Case, Brycen, Caiden, Corbin, Gryphon, Rhowan, Madeline, Gaige and Grayson. She is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Parker and Kate (Sonny) Spears, one brother, Jimmy Ethridge, all of Tennessee, two sisters-in-law, Karen Stephens and Lucy Churchwell, and former son-in-law, JD Blackwood, all of Searcy, AR and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband John Churchwell, one son, Timothy Churchwell, three brothers, Wallace Ethridge, Billy Ethridge, Sr., Pete Ethridge and one granddaughter, Taylor Bice.