of Yellville, AR

February 21, 1930 - October 9, 2020

Betty Lou James of Yellville, passed away Friday, October 9, 2020 in Mountain Home, Arkansas, surrounded by family.

She was born February 21, 1930 in Freck, Arkansas to Floyd M. and Gertrude Ann Kester Smith. She was a 1947 graduate of Yellville-Summit High School where she loved to play basketball. She proudly worked for ASCS-USDA in Marion County for 30 years before retiring in 1986. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and served the church in many different capacities through the years. She was also volunteer Secretary/Treasurer for Pleasant Ridge Cemetery for many years.

She lived life to the fullest, enjoying every minute of it, never wasting time, and only relaxing for MASH, Perry Mason and most importantly the Holy Bible. She was creative and artistic and could be found painting, crocheting or doing needle point and if the weather was nice, she would most certainly be found outside in the garden. She was an endless source of shenanigans and onoriness, and made sure everyone knew they were loved. She was the queen of hospitality, and always had something prepared to offer you. Many an argument was had over her oatmeal cookies and especially her fruit salad.

She was truly the heart of this clan, and everything good in us was instilled by this precious woman of God. To be loved so unconditionally, so sacrificially and so genuinely as she loved us, is a glimpse into the love our Heavenly Father has for us.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Russell Lee James, her husband of 15 years Johnny Carson, her son Gary Lee James, and her great-grandson Hagen Jones.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Joyce James, step-son, Gary Carson, her daughter-in-law, Alice James, her niece, Freda (Tommy) Cantrell, her nephew, Don (Kyle) Smith, three grandchildren, Staci James, Andrew James and Jamie Smith, 11 great grandchildren, Allie Elliott, Tyler Morris, Weston Champion, Keelyn Smith, Adison James, Aticus James, Jaxon Whitsell, Justin Milligan, Lucy Milligan, Luke James, Haven Whitsell, and Tate Milligan, and two great great grandchildren, Jeremiah Elliott and Declan Jones.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 13th at 9:00 a.m, with funeral services at 10:00 a.m at Roller Burns Funeral Home in Yellville, with burial at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

Memorials May be made to New Hope Baptist Church or Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Burns Funeral Home
725 North Panther Ave.
Yellville, AR  72687
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com