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Submitted: 9/15/22 • Approved: 9/16/22 • Last Updated: 9/19/22 • R1449039-G1449038-S3
October 19, 1942 - December 2, 2018
Bettye Jean (Arnold) Brown, 76, of Waldo passed away on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Christus St. Michael Health System in TEXarkana.
Bettye was born in Monroe, LA on October 19,1942 to the late Sidney Weaver Arnold and Mattie Emma (Arthur) Arnold, and was the oldest of three children. She grew up in Waldo, where she was active in school and in the Methodist Church. At the age of 14, she met Wayne who became her lifelong sweetheart and husband of 60 years.
Bettye faced many obstacles in life but she always rose above her circumstances. Bettye was a member of the Governor’s Committee for the Disabled and was listed in Outstanding Young Women of America. She has spoken to nursing classes to help them have a better understanding of how to care for the handicapped. Bettye, who was once a Columbia County Fair Queen, was named Miss Wheelchair Arkansas. Bettye was active in her church and community, even running for mayor of Waldo where she and Wayne lived for many years and always called home.
Bettye overcame many things and achieved many things but nothing was more important than the role she played in the lives of her family. She was an amazing, selfless, inspiring wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who loved unconditionally and wholeheartedly. She loved her Lord Jesus and never missed an opportunity to share her testimony and tell others about His love and salvation.
Bettye’s favorite verse was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and she put this verse into action daily.”
Saturday evening, with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and two oldest granddaughters surrounding her, Bettye left this world behind and went to a magnificent celebration in Heaven where she was greeted by the very many family and friends who were eagerly awaiting her arrival. She did not take her wheelchair as she had no expectation of needing it any longer, and those who knew and loved her imagine that she walked, ran, skipped, and danced her way through the Pearly Gates and onto the golden streets of Heaven. Her first steps in almost 60 years on the golden streets of Heaven. Oh, what joy!
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Bettye was preceded in death by her parents and an infant daughter.
She is survived by her husband Wayne Brown of Waldo; daughter, Dianna Lejarzar and husband Gary of Fort Worth, TX; granddaughters, Amanda Bryant and husband Jonathan, Annie Copeland, and Suzanna Lejarzar, all of Fort Worth, TX; grandson, Jason Lejarzar of Fort Worth, TX; great-grandchildren, Angelea Bryant, Andrew Bryant, Jonah Copeland, and Cash Westlake, all of Fort Worth, TX; sister, Marie Morgan and husband Gary of Heber Springs; brother, James Arnold and wife Randy of Southlake, TX; and a host of nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Baptist Church with Bro. Steven McAbee and Bro. Bill Wardlaw officiating. Burial will follow at Waldo Cemetery under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia.
Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Frankie Tucker, Glenn Tucker, Allen Cloud, Sherwood Phillips, Jason Lejarzar and Jimmy Arnold.
Contributed on 9/15/22 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1449039