Betty Louise (Womack) White

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Betty Louise (Womack) White, in the early morning, May 2, 2020.  Born in 1927 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Betty was a joyful influence on all who met her.  Her quick wit and sense of humor caught many people off-guard, which endeared her to the hearts of many.  One would often catch her with a gleam in her eye and laughing at some memory or joke she shared with so many.

Betty was born just before the Great Depression, and served her country during World War II, doing secretarial work for the Department of the Army in St. Louis.  Betty and her sister, Venita, played mandolin and sang on the local radio (KWOC-AM) in Poplar Bluff, and at county fairs, even performing with Slim Rhodes and his Log Cabin Mountaineers.  After the war, it was playing at a county fair that introduced her to a rambunctious Navy man and accordion player, Frank White, Jr., whom she married at her parents’ house in 1946.  They remained married until 1963, and they had one son, Frank (“Frankie”) White, III, in 1948.

Betty followed Frank Jr.’s naval career, which moved the family from Poplar Bluff, to Memphis, Tennessee; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Jacksonville, Florida; Santa Clara, California; and back to Poplar Bluff.  While in Jacksonville, Florida, Betty accepted the Lord at age 27—a faith that never left her.

Although a housewife much of her life, Betty volunteered as Church Secretary at First Baptist in Poplar Bluff, and worked for a while at the School of the Blind in St. Louis.  Betty’s interests included Avon, ceramic arts, painting, church activities, and quilting.  If ever asked what she wanted for dinner, the answer was always fried chicken, and black coffee was the favored drink, no matter the time of day.  When her grandsons came to visit, there was always a feather bed waiting, cookies in the cookie jar, and a large field full of adventures.  Family get-togethers and holidays were always a raucous affair, full of great food, tall tales, and a scratch game of football with all the cousins.  One thing was certain, there was always a special joy when you “came by for a visit”, and you saw her unlock and open the screen door to welcome you in.  She never turned anyone away, and when you left, she would stay on the porch waving until you were out of sight.

Betty moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1999, where she lived in the Levy neighborhood.  Her days would be spent with visits from her family, and the occasional check-in from the neighborhood church.  Occasionally she would offer to dog-sit for the family, which usually resulted in the dogs eating fresh-cooked meals of human food, (the envy of dogs all over the neighborhood.)  She lived in North Little Rock until her passing.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, James and Lucy Womack, and siblings Edith, Venita, Bill and Jane, who passed early last month.  She is survived by her son and daughter in law, Frank and Elaine White, of North Little Rock, and grandchildren Clay and Kimberly White, of Orange County, California, Chris White, of Little Rock, and Cortney and Katie White, of Littleton, Colorado.  She leaves behind three beautiful great-granddaughters, Ava Kate, Chloe and McKinley.

As Betty has departed this life, she has been welcomed into the Pearly Gates by a loving Savior and a host of family.  No doubt, as here on earth, there will be plenty of laughing and cutting up as she enjoys Paradise.  Until we meet her again, we will cherish her memory and miss her greatly. All services will be private, under the direction of Emerson funeral Home of Jonesboro.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.