Betty Shrable

Betty Jean Shrable, 97, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. She was born February 20, 1927 in Beech Grove. She is survived by four children, Roger Fruchey of Kyoto Japan, Donna (Carey) Fortenberry of Little Rock, Malinda (Lewis) Fliney of Paragould, and Bridget Earls of Paragould. Betty, or Memaw as she was affectionately known, has 17 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, all of whom she adored and one of whom she raised, Sarah Benton. She also had many nieces and nephews that she loved very much. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Caroline and Alvin Morrow; one son, Rodney Fruchey; and brothers, Eugene, Tom, Donnie, Harold, Billy Wayne and Alva Leland Morrow; and sisters, Odean Barger and Estalean Jett.

Betty was a member of Stone Ridge Church of Christ. She was very active in her community. She volunteered at Arkansas Methodist Hospital for many years and made great friends there. She worked tirelessly in the Senior Bees program and brought the first Grandparents Day Parade to Paragould. She received several awards including the Presidential Award, Volunteer Hall of Fame, Advocate of the Year for helping seniors obtain free medicines, lunch buddy, Silver Hair Legislator for 16 years, chair person for Senior Bees fashion show, assisted in teaching others to read, and Queen in the Red Hat Society. She wrote many stories for the Historical Society and had some of her writings published.

She was very active and loved God and her family with all her heart. There will be many who can recall how she helped or cared for them in some way and was always free with her love and help to others.

A visitation will be Friday, July 5, 2024, from 6-8 pm at Heath Funeral Home. The funeral will be Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 3 pm at Heath Funeral Home with Richard Blackford and John Mundy officiating. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery.