Betty Smith Hardman

Betty Smith Hardman, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2022 at her home in Pine Bluff. She was born at her family home in Fordyce on June 20, 1940 to the late Floyd and Clara Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Cecil Smith and sister, Bonnie Smith Jones.
Betty was a member of Watson Chapel Baptist Church. She truly had a servant’s heart, whether she was visiting church shut-ins, teaching children’s Sunday School for more than 25 years, making dresses for children in Guatemala, or making angel food cakes and other desserts for friends during their times of need.
Betty loved to hunt, fish, garden, and sew. She was extremely social and loved being around people, especially all the friends she made in various clubs and social groups throughout the years. Betty was a member of the Watson Chapel Garden Club for more than 55 years and she was a lifetime member of the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs. Betty was skilled floral designer and a member of Circle of Fleur designer garden club. She was a member of Word Deer Camp for 60 years.
Betty was highly competitive and enjoyed games and sports of any type, especially when her children and grandchildren were participating. She loved the Arkansas Razorbacks and was a football season ticket holder for more than 50 years. She was proud to be a member of the Fordyce Redbugs Class of 1958 and loved cheering on the Redbugs football team.
She was survived by her husband of 63 years, James; three daughters, Elizabeth (Johnny) of Hope, AR, Laura (Scott) McFalls of Pine Bluff, AR, and Rebekah (Landon) Wade of Ruston, LA; six grandchildren, Sara (Jonathan) Bottoms of Gould, AR, Clay (Lainey) Thompson of Hughes Springs, TX, Bryan Thompson of Hope, AR, Lauren McFalls of Pine Bluff, AR, Drew Wade and Ava Grace Wade of Ruston, LA; five great-grandchildren, Karson Thompson and Korbin Thompson of Hughes Springs, TX, Charleigh Bottoms and Chandler Bottoms of Gould, AR, and Ryleigh Rushing of Pine Bluff, AR; a sister, Sandra (Billy) Rothwell of Mabelvale, AR and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Benton Funeral Home, Fordyce, AR on Sunday August 21, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Monday August 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Watson Chapel Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, AR with a graveside service at Stoney Point Cemetery, Fordyce, AR Monday at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stoney Point Perpetual Care, 1337 Highway 277, Fordyce, AR 71742 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net .