Bettye Woodruff

Bettye Woodruff, 85 of Jonesboro, or Ms. Bettye, as she was known to hundreds of people throughout Jonesboro, departed this life on November 22, 2015. Through her devotion to her family, church and community she will always be remembered for her kindness and service. After raising her five sons, she taught remedial reading in the Jonesboro School Systems for many years, where she became a mother figure to hundreds of children. She was a driving force behind the youth and college ministries in her church, influencing numerous lives for Christ. She was a strong supporter of the Jonesboro School System and the entire community. Even as her health failed, she continued to be an inspiration to all who came her way. She greatly influenced all 11 of her grandchildren, stressing faith, integrity and education.

Bettye was born in Hugo, Oklahoma and spent her early years there. After the untimely death of her mother, she married Bill as he returned from WWII. They spent 58 years together until his passing in 2003. They devoted themselves to church, community and raising their five sons. She spent the past nine years at St. Bernards Village where she had many close friends.

She is survived by sons Steve (Linda), Tim (Ann), Randy (Karen), Scot (Klugh) and Lee (Jane Marie). She has 11 grandchildren; Stephanie (Wright), Adam, John, Casey (Hart), Taylor, Libby (Collar), Mandy (Tennyson), Ben, Clark, Will and Weston. Great Grandchildren include Alexandra, Aiden and Anderson Wright, Nate, Isaac, Ethan, Andrew, Jude and Emma Woodruff and Nash Hart. Also survived by siblings Marshal Brookey, Doris Duran and a close nephew, Travis (Linda) Crawford all of California.

Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of services with the funeral at Southwest Church of Christ Wednesday, November 25. Visitation will be noon with the service at 2:00 pm. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are the many friends and staff at St. Bernards Village. Conducting the service will be her close friends Jimmy Adcox and Richard Akins. Burial will be private.
The family thanks the nurses and staff at NEA Baptist Hospital, her physician Dr. Ray Hall, the staff of Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House and the hundreds of well-wishers throughout the community.

Memorials may be made to Southwest Church for the WolfLife Campus Ministry Expansion, 1601 James Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.