Betty Gray McFarland, 85, of Harrison, AR passed away on September 10, 2016 in Springdale, AR. Betty Gray Jackson was born on April 15, 1931 in Paragould, AR. to Ted and Vera Jackson and was the third of three children.
Betty Gray was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry McFarland in 2003, her parents and Ted Jackson, Jr.
Survivors include her brother, Bobby Jackson, of Panama City, Fl., her three children, Mike McFarland and wife Kim, Springdale, AR; Tim McFarland, Fayetteville, AR; Patty McFarland Methvin and husband Ransey, Harrison, AR; nephew, Ronnie McFarland and his wife Betty Lou, Searcy, AR; their son Bart McFarland, his wife Ejaye and their children, Searcy, AR; niece Lynne McPeak, her husband, Jeff and their children, Rockwall, TX., six grandchildren including Becca McFarland, Harrison, AR; Amy McFarland, Harrison, AR; Bryan Methvin and his wife Charlotte, Dallas, TX; Shawna Hobson, her husband Charlie Hobson and their children, Sheridan, AR; Aaron Methvin, St. Louis, MO; Cody Methvin and his wife Melanie, Harrison, AR.
Betty Gray spent most of her childhood days in Pine Bluff, AR, graduated from Pine Bluff High School and attended Blue Mountain College and Arkansas State Teachers College (University of Central Arkansas). After marrying “Jerry Mac,” Betty Gray supported the family and engaged in the communities during his career advancements at Arkansas Power & Light Company where they lived in Pine Bluff, Lonoke, England, Batesville, Little Rock and Harrison, all Arkansas cities.
Betty Gray’s heart, grace and interest in others seemed to be never-ending. She and her late husband, “Jerry Mac” were actively engaged in every community in which they lived, finding organizations and purposes where they could volunteer to enhance thequality of life for that community.
Betty Gray served many years at the Boone County Library, working in a number of capacities, including board member and a founding leader who helped launch the Boone County Library Foundation. She was a founding member of the Ozark Arts Council and an active member in the Woman’s Book Club of Harrison, where she also served as President. She served as a board member of the North Arkansas Medical Foundation. She served the First Presbyterian Church as an Elder, as President of the Presbyterian Women and was named “Woman of the Year” by the Presbyterian Women. She served on several committees of the Arkansas Presbytery. Her daughter Patty later became Youth Director at the First Christian Church and Betty Gray followed Patty to First Christian where she developed a new church family and, among others, served as a Deacon of the First Christian Church. She was a long-time member of Chapter AG PEO. Betty Gray was also an entrepreneur and brought TCBY Yogurt to the Harrison marketplace. Among other things, TCBY was the place of employment for promising high school students many of whom have gone on to be quite successful.
Funeral services will be on Monday, September 12 at 3 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Harrison, AR. Visitation will be on that same day at 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church. The Funeral Service will be directed by Dr. David Artman.
Arrangements are by Holt Funeral Home of Harrison, AR. Online condolences may be made at www.holtchapel.com.
Pallbearers will be Danny Roth, Tom Tice, Dan Sherrell, Jerry Pledger, Mike Richardson, Bill Seeger, Bob Dodson and Lynn Mayo. Stewart Nance will deliver a Eulogy joining Dr. Artman in honoring Betty Gray’s life and the inspiration that her life represents.
Honorary Pallbearers include the Friday Night Group, Chapter AG PEO, the Hearthstone Sunday School Class, Jim McCammon, Jeff Christenson and Bill Magness.
The family would especially like to thank the many caregivers who served with skill, concern and compassion for Betty Gray including Dr. Blake Chitsey, the team at the Gardens at Arkanshire, the team at N.A.P.S. Nursing Agency and the team at Maple Esplanade.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Boone County Library and first Christian Church, both in Harrison, AR.
To be e-mailed to Holt Memorial Chapel at holtmemorial@hotmail.com for distribution to the newspapers, etc.
For more information, contact Tim McFarland at tim@ceoforums.us. To be distributed via social media by the family and friends. Family and friends, feel free to post or distribute this as you see fit. We would be honored for you to do so.