Bettye Doyle Hall Carithers

Bettye Doyle Hall Carithers, 95, passed away on January 17, 2026.

Bettye was born at home on December 17, 1930, to Hazel and Kie Hall in Benton, Arkansas. Her only brother, Kie, was born thirteen years later. A child of The Depression, she lived in rural Benton and attended a two-room schoolhouse. Her family moved to North Little Rock in 1938. She graduated from North Little Rock High School, where she met her sweetheart, Patrick Carithers.

They married in 1950 and had two children, Kelly and Lindsey. Once they were in school, she commuted with four other young mothers to UCA and earned her teaching degree and later her master’s degree.

She taught first grade for thirty-six years in Pulaski County Elementary Schools, including Cato, Jacksonville, and the Air Base school. She was very honored to have taught hundreds of children to read.

At age 40, she joined her husband and began running, and quickly dominated her age group in races across Arkansas. As quoted in a newspaper article on her accomplishments, she said “running is the greatest thing that ever happened to me!” They went on to compete in marathons and triathlons across the country for many years.

After retirement, Bettye and Pat traveled with friends and enjoyed their grandchildren.

When Pat became ill, they moved to Fayetteville to be closer to all of their family. She was affectionately known as “Mama B” to her five great-grandsons.

A faithful Catholic, she was active at St. Anne’s in North Little Rock and St. Raphael’s in Springdale. During her life, she was a devoted caregiver to many family members, especially her husband, Pat. She excelled at most things, be it cooking, gardening, sewing, or writing.

In her words, “I’ve had an extraordinary ordinary life and been very blessed.”

Bettye was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Kie Hall, her brother, Kie Hall, and her son-in-law, Bill McGowan. She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Carithers, and son Lindsey Carithers; granddaughter Jenny Carithers Price and husband B.R. Price; grandson Patrick McGowan and wife Camryn McGowan; grandson John McGowan and wife Morgan McGowan; great-grandsons, William McGowan, Grayson McGowan, Joseph Kie Price, Luke McGowan, and Merrick McGowan; niece Amy Hall Workman; nephews, Clay Carithers and Alan Carithers.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 22 at 11:30 AM at Fayetteville National Cemetery (1000 S Lt Col Leroy Pond Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701).

Services entrusted to Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home (1921 Main Street, NLR, AR, 72114).