Betty Francis Brown

Betty Francis Brown, 83, of West Memphis, Arkansas (formerly of Bay Village) passed away on August 27, 2023, of natural causes. Betty was born on August 8, 1940, to the late Floyd Goodwin and Edith Penna Goodwin in Jonesboro. Betty attended Vandale High School and married her high school sweetheart, Reece, in the summer of 1958. Shortly after marriage, Betty and Reece moved to Forrest City and, after a year of marriage, were blessed with their only child, Russell Lloyd (Rusty). As a child, Betty worked on her family farm, picking up every task required to produce a meaningful cotton crop. When the field work was done, Betty worked around the house to offer a helping hand to care for her seven brothers and sisters. After leaving the farm and starting a family, Betty worked at General Industries in Forrest City for more than 25 years before retiring to serve as a full-time homemaker. She also served as secretary for the Forrest City First Assembly of God, where she was present every time the doors were open. She was always the coordinator of fellowships, meals and other gatherings at the church. In retirement, Betty was proud to be part-time caretaker of her two grandchildren and even found time to run her own catering business in the Delta region of Arkansas, where she specialized in serving the families of Hospice care recipients. She was a fan of Elvis films and had a vast collection of gospel vinyls proudly displayed in her home. On Sunday afternoons she could be found rooting on her favorite golfer, Tiger Woods, and enjoying the occasional nap. Betty was predeceased by her husband Lloyd Reece Brown; brothers Thomas Goodwin, Jim Goodwin, Jerry Goodwin, Bob Goodwin and Wayne Goodwin; and sister Edith Beta. She is survived by her son Rusty Brown (Margarette); grandson Jason Brown (Heather); granddaughter, Lacey Skates (Dusty); step-grandson Stewart Haynes; great-granddaughter, Marilyn Reece Brown; sister Carolyn Pope; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Kernodle Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, from 10:30 to 11. Services will follow at 11 AM with burial in Bay Village Cemetery following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alzheimer’s Arkansas or the organization of choice.

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Betty Francis Brown

August 8, 1940 - August 27, 2023