Monty Betts

Monty Betts, 61, of Searcy, died Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Born September 20, 1949, in Searcy, he was the son of the late Omer Otto and Billie Bernice Williams Betts. A lifelong resident of White County, he graduated from Pangburn High School, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas and spent 38 years in the field of education. He began his teaching career at Bradford Public Schools in 1971, then taught at Kensett, before becoming the high school principal at White County Central in 1977. In 1987, he became superintendent and retired from that position in 2008. He was then elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives 87th Assembly from District 50 and served for two years. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was known for his great sense of humor, his storytelling abilities, his love of people, his strong Christian faith, and his desire to make a difference wherever he could. At the time of his death, he was serving as Chairman of the White County Medical Board. He was a past trustee of the AR Teacher Retirement Board, past president of AR School Administrators and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 308. He was an ordained deacon and a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Searcy where he taught the Friendship Sunday School Class. Monty is survived by his wife of 40 years, Laura Greer Betts; his son Blake Betts of Pangburn; his daughter Amanda Kirker and her husband Jason of Searcy; three grandchildren, Amber Betts of Ogden, Utah; Bettsy Kirker and Jackson Kirker of Searcy; his sister, Kay Betts Moore and her husband Larry of Searcy; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Shirley and Phil Taylor of Pocahontas; two nieces, Nicole Huddy of Searcy; Angie Smith of Lake City; two nephews, Heath Moore of Searcy; David Taylor of Memphis, TN; and a host of extended family and friends. . Visitation will be at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy on Friday evening, April 1, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 2, at the White County Central School Auditorium, 3259 Hwy. 157 in Judsonia. Memorials may be made to the Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund, Trinity Baptist Church, 1601 E. Moore, Searcy, AR 72143. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Monty Betts

September 30, 1949 - March 30, 2011