Betty Peebles

Betty Lou Peebles of Cave City, Ark., passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on June 19th, 2025, surrounded by family.

She was born on May 7th, 1938, in Nelsonville, Ark., to H.H. Porter and Lola Freeman Porter. She began teaching at the age of 18 in the Sloan-Hendrix School District, and continued to impact the lives of many students in the Poughkeepsie and Highland School Districts throughout her 37-year career. While at Highland School District, she volunteered as the Faculty Advisor for the High Schools' Future Business Leaders of America chapter.

Betty married the love of her life, Jess Peebles, on October 14th, 1961, at Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church. They enjoyed their life together with their daughters on their farm where Jess worked as a cattleman.

After her retirement in 1993, she spent her time visiting all 50 states and taking great care of her flowers in Cave City. Betty enjoyed being a grandmother and attending the sporting events and school activities of her grandchildren. The addition of a great-grandchild brought her great joy.

She was a faithful member of Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a pianist, Sunday school teacher, and church treasurer. Later in life, she became a member of First Baptist Church of Cave City, where she was the Missions Secretary for her Ladies Sunday School Class.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, H.H. Porter; her mother, Lola Porter; and her husband of 22 years, Jess Peebles.

She is survived by her daughters, Gale Peebles of Jonesboro, Ark. and Donna Hamaker of Cave City, Ark.; her brother-in-law, Syd Peebles and sister-in-law JoAnn Peebles of Conway, Ark.; nieces, Janet Harris and husband Jimmy Harris, and Joy Peebles, and great-niece Bailey Harris, all of Conway, Ark.; grandsons, Adam Hamaker and wife Kathlin Hamaker of Jackson, Tenn., and Aaron Hamaker of Little Rock, Ark.; as well as one precious great-grandchild and many other friends and family who loved her dearly.

Visitation was held at Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church at 234 Push Road in Smithville, Ark., on Saturday, June 21, from 10-11 a.m. The funeral service followed immediately with Pastor Ron Canard officiating and Brother Tracy Jones presenting the obituary. Graveside services will be held at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery at 108 Pleasant Ridge Road in Poughkeepsie, Ark.

Pallbearers were Adam Hamaker, Aaron Hamaker, Jimmy Harris, Randy Jones, Tracy Jones and Philip Landers. Honorary pallbearers were the Deacons of First Baptist Church in Cave City, Ark., as well as the current and former teachers of Highland High School in Hardy, Ark.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund at 112 North Main Street Cave City, AR 72521.