of Big Flat, AR
November 30, 1925 - May 2, 2025
Ernestine ''Teen'' Wynn Balentine, age 99 of Springdale, Arkansas, formerly of Big Flat, Arkansas passed away on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 at Circle of Life in Springdale, Arkansas. She was born on November 30th, 1925 to Floyd and Doris Wynn in their home in Sylamore, Arkansas. She lived a full life and seemed to always have a way of seeing the fun in every situation and coming away with an entertaining story.
During WWII, she moved to Long Beach, California to live with her sister and worked for Douglas Aircraft Company. When the love of her life, Cecil Warren Balentine, returned home after earning a purple heart in the Pacific, she was by his side. They married July 7, 1945 in a double ceremony with their closest friends, Gene and Lanel Long.
Teen and Warren moved to Conway, Arkansas, where Warren earned his bachelor's degree at Arkansas Teacher's College. While there, they started a family having three children: Donald Lynn Balentine (Myra), Terry Lee Balentine (Robbie), and Susan Balentine Pitchford (Roger). Teen worked hard, taking college classes, while raising three young children, and running their small farm. After Warren finished his degree, they moved the family to Big Flat, Arkansas where they attended the Big Flat Church of Christ.
She later opened the Green Acres Dairy Diner, a restaurant in Big Flat, drawing customers from surrounding counties because of the delicious food, especially hamburgers and fried catfish. She treated her grandchildren to custom ice cream sundaes and chocolate milkshakes when they came to visit. Her grandkids remember her giving them marked quarters to play the pinball machine and jukebox. One song, ''Hit the Road Jack,'' was played quite a bit as one grandchild thought it referred to a neighbor named Jack who lived down the road.
Teen was loved by everyone who knew her for her quick wit, amazing storytelling ability, and competitive nature. She played a mean game of dominoes and took great pleasure in winning any card game, but especially Pitch. She loved to fish and could often be found on her pond with a string of catfish. She loved to stay physically active with daily walks and even took yoga and dance classes. She loved to write and finished two books for her family to enjoy. She was an accomplished quilter and produced a custom quilt for each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was also an avid amateur photographer and had dozens of photo books filled with pictures of her family that she loved to share when people came to visit. She raised a huge garden every year and produced some of the best tomatoes and green beans you can imagine. Her pantry was full of beautifully home canned goods. She was a gifted cook, and if you were lucky enough to come to her house for dinner (or an early breakfast before hunting), you were guaranteed to leave well fed. She lived just shy of 100 years, saw so many changes, and handled them all with grace and an infectious sense of humor. She was a bright light in our family and will be truly missed.
Teen was preceded in death by her husband, Warren, and daughter, Susan, and is survived by her sons, Don and Terry, and many grand and great grandchildren.
Graveside services for Teen will be 2:00 PM Friday, May 16th, 2025 at Big Flat Cemetery in Big Flat, Arkansas.
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27 Condolence(s)
Albert & Anna (Rainbolt) Maze
Thursday, May 8, 2025
We are sorry for your loss. Your families are in our prayers.
Clara Foshee
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Prayers of comfort for family
Linda Covey Reece
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
So sorry for your loss! She was a wonderful cousin to me. So many memories! I loved her so much! She will always be remembered as a great cook! I remember many visits to your
house when we were kids!
Linda Reece
David Treat
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Sorry for your loss. I remember going to the dairy queen when I was growing up. Teen will be missed.
Shelly Sutterfield
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
So sorry to hear this. I remeber seeing her at the Bigflat Homecoming, and we had stopped in at their restaurant a time or two. Our Mother and Father (Joe and Neva Sutterfield) had fond memories of them. Dad grew up in Big Flat. May God give your family comfort, that only He can give!
Rick and Janice Horton
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
We are so sorry for your loss…Earnestine was a devoted mother to her children, loving grandmother to her grandchildren, and a cherished friend to all who knew her. Everyone we know always looked forward to her Big Flat News column in our local paper…she was a very gifted writer. Our prayers and love are with all of you during your time of loss and grief.
sam pemberton
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
A great lady, she taught Pat and I for a short period while Warren finished his college work. We could always count on her encouragement. She was a precious friend.
Floyd Balentine Jr.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Aunt Teen was Always so special loved her very much she will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Gene and Susan DeJarnette
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
We send our sympathy to Don, Terry, and all the family in the passing of Teen. She was a remarkable lady who has left a loving and lasting legacy. Our Love,
Susan and Gene
Pamela Moore
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Sending prayers for the family. I have many fond memories of Teen. She was a special lady.
Shirley (Clark) Slaughter
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Teen was one of the nicest ladies that I had the pleasure of knowing. She will be missed. Prayers for her family.
Wendy Hendrix
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Mrs. Baletine was a wonderful lady. I got to know her and Warren while working at the Buffalo Conservation District. She always had a smile on her face when I made a farm visit.
Kay Branscum
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Terry, Don and family, I was sorry to hear about your loss. I remember your mom (and Dad) from banking and I always loved both of them and I always enjoyed talking to Terry on the phone as well. That was what I missed most when I retired was not seeing all the sweet people I became aquainted with over the years. I loved hearing her talk about her garden, fishing, family and all the things she enjoyed.
She was a very sweet lady! Prayers for all of you. Lots of precious memories.
Wesley and Loretta Smith
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Ernestine was a very nice lady. She was always very nice to me.
Annette Smithhart
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
She was always so easy to talk with and you always came away with some kind of a lesson in life. She was so kind.
Betty (Sutterfield) Pinkston
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Don and Terry, sure hated to hear about your Mom. She was one tough lady and really lived a great life.People in Big Flat loved her and always enjoyed talking and laughing with her if that was at a sports thing at school, at her Dairy Queen, or homecoming in Big Flat each year. We will never forget her! My prayers are with you both and all the families. Lean on the Lord just like your Mom did.
Mary (Schultz) Harris
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of Teen passing. She was such a sweet lady and I have many fond memories of her and the little diner. I loved going there as a child. She will be missed by all that knew her. Praying for the family
Eddie and Pam Cannada
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
So sorry to hear of ''Teen'' passing. My mom spoke of her often.
Shawn sutterfield & Bryon Jackson
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Awesome womanâ¤ï¸ she will be missed ðŸ'"
Nina Baysinger
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
RIP Sweet lady
KAY BALENTINE KNIGHT
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Aunt Teen will be missed tremendously! Don Balentine and Terry Balentine I'm sorry sad for the loss of your precious mother!..
Kay
Jimmy and Patsy Treat
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
We are saddened by the passing of Teen. She will certainly be missed by family and friends. Teen was a special lady. Sending prayers and love to all the family.
Eric and Ashley Massey
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
Love and Prayers to your family.
George Sutterfield
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Don, Terry and Family I'm sad to learn of the passing of your Mom. She was a great lady and we are all better persons because she shared her wisdom with us during her 99 years. I was one of the fortunate ones to have had one of her great meals when we were in school at Big Flat. Prayers for the Family.
Mike and Donna Treat
Monday, May 5, 2025
Don, Terry and all the family
So sorry to hear about Teen. She was a very nice and always friendly when we see her out and about. We are praying for all the family at this sorrowful time.
MISTI COLLIER
Monday, May 5, 2025
Sending love and prayers to the family, Teen was always so kind and I know you will all miss her terribly
Mike and Donna Treat
Monday, May 5, 2025
Don, Terry and all the family
So sorry to hear about Teen. She was a very nice and always friendly when we see her out and about. We are praying for all the family at this sorrowful time.