Betty Jean Gerlach

Betty Jean Harrod Gerlach, 88, of Jonesboro, passed away Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born December 14, 1934 in Holly Grove to the late Luther Harrod and Opal (Boals) Harrod. Betty graduated from Holly Grove High School in 1952 with a group of classmates that have continued to have class reunions over the years. Betty married Billy Gene Gerlach on February 21, 1953 and they were married 66 years before his death. They lived in Holly Grove for many years before moving to Jonesboro 18 years ago.

Betty was a homemaker where she loved to be in the kitchen cooking meals for her family. She enjoyed canning fresh garden vegetables and was also known for her wonderful cakes, pies and cookies. Her family, all the way down to her great grandchildren, enjoyed being in the kitchen helping her and learning all of her cooking secrets. Betty went to beauty school after her children were older and enjoyed operating her beauty shop for several years. She enjoyed sewing, reading and crocheting. Betty was a former member of Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church and a present member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

Survivors include one son, Gary Gerlach (Debbie) of Holly Grove; two daughters, Alice Vance (David) of Jonesboro and Nanette Powell (Byron) of Edgemont; 5 grandchildren David Vance II (Erika), Shelley Teat (Ron) of Jonesboro, Kevin Gerlach of Holly Grove, Abby Tiner (Christian Yarbrough) of Hickory Ridge, and Ross Powell of Conway; and many great-grandchildren, Jacob Watson (Molly), Austin Vance, Averie Vance, Madelynn Teat, Emmie Teat all of Jonesboro, Kasen Tiner, Holden Tiner, Rowan Yarbrough, Lakyn Yarbrough, and Avery Yarbrough of Hickory Ridge; and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers Glennis “Neil” Harrod and Charles Harrod; and one grandson Derek Vance.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2023 at Macedonia Cemetery in Holly Grove. Brother Billy Booth will be officiating. Emerson Funeral Home of Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers will be Kevin Gerlach, Ross Powell, David Vance II, Ron Teat, Jacob Watson, Austin Vance, and Jerry Ray Harrod.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and doctors at St. Bernard’s Medical Center, Encompass Rehabilitation, and the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House for taking such wonderful care of Betty. A special thank you to the wonderful caregivers that have helped take care of her over the last 17 months. We sincerely thank each and every one of you for helping her to be able to live in her own home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E Matthews Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401, Macedonia Cemetery, P.O. Box 542, Holly Grove, AR 72069 or Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 2731 Paula Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72404.