Biography: Betty Jones Williams, 87, died peacefully and surrounded by family on July 26, 2011, at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock. She was born January 13, 1924, in Little Rock to Bill and Helen Jones. Betty grew up mostly in Little Rock but spent two years of her childhood in Greensburg, Louisiana, where her family moved when her father lost his job during the great depression. She would later describe life in Greensburg not as a time of deprivation, but as great fun when she could work in the garden, feed chickens, go to school barefoot, and shoot BB guns in the creek with her cousins. After graduation from Little Rock High School, Betty attended Hendrix College, where during her freshman year in 1941, she met Tom Williams, who soon became the love of her life. The following year Tom went overseas to serve in WWII, and Betty joined the millions of women anxiously awaiting the return of husbands and sweethearts. She graduated from Hendrix in 1944 after only three years of study, and began working as a clerk at Marche Military Ordnance Plant, then at the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, and finally as a receptionist in a Little Rock doctor?s office. After Tom?s return from the War, they became engaged and were married on April 12, 1947, a marriage that lasted 47 years until Tom?s death in 1994. Betty?s career was her family, raising her children and forming their character by talking and listening to each with love, respect, and firmness when necessary. Even after her children were grown, she was always there to provide encouragement, empathy, and wise counsel. She imparted the same loving care to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom loved her very much. Many friends also enriched her life, as she in turn enriched theirs with her gentle nature and constant emphasis on the positive. Some of her friendships started when she was a small child and lasted until her death. Betty loved playing bridge and did so regularly with her friends until the last years of her life, which she spent happily at Shepherd?s Cove, part of Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement Center in Little Rock. She also enjoyed playing tennis with her friends, often hosting them for tennis weekends at Fairfield Bay. A lifelong Methodist, Betty was an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, serving at various times as Sunday school teacher; president of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Women, of which she was a lifetime member; member of the Board of Governors of the Hendrix Alumni Association; board member of the Woodlawn Therapeutic Children?s Center. She was also a member of the Gilbert Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her strong faith helped her maintain her optimistic outlook as she met the challenges of raising three children, one of whom was born while her husband served overseas in the Korean War. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Tom; her brother Thomas B. Jones; and her grandson George Thomas Williams. She is survived by her three children, Christopher Thomas Williams (Dian), Jon Russell Williams (Susan), and Elizabeth Henderson (Jerry), all of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Eric Mortenson (Mai) and Rosie Hames (Brian), Jonathan and Shelby Williams, and Sam Williams; two great grandchildren, Finley and Conner Insko; and her many friends. A memorial service will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. Lynn Lindsey and Rev. Jeff Hampton. Memorials may be made to the ?Helen Mehaffy Jones Endowed Scholarship? Fund of Hendrix College, Conway, AR 72032; or Camp Aldersgate, Inc. of Little Rock. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.