Betty Lou Gilson

Betty Lou Gilson, 86, of Fort Smith, passed away at Peachtree Hospice on December 29, 2013 after a long illness. Betty was born in Charleston, Arkansas, January 6, 1927 to Denton and Edith Miller Moore. She married her sweetheart, Samuel B. Gilson, a career military officer in the United States Army, in 1948. They lived at many bases in the United States, from Texas to Alaska, where Sam served in the Aerial Defense Artillery. Betty and Sam loved to travel together, taking the opportunity to see much of America during his time on active duty. They spent one summer helping Lillian and John Isaacs with their mission in Fairbanks, Alaska, offering free literacy classes at the Native American Mission, which is now Friendship Baptist Church. After Sam’s retirement in 1968, Betty continued her work with the Baptist church, training Sunday school teachers from all over the country and teaching the fifth grade girl’s class at Grand Avenue Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Sam; her brother, Jimmy Moore; nephews, Michael, Patrick and Kelly Moore, Jerry and Joan Gilson and Richard and Billie Gilson, as well as many great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am Friday, January 3, 2014 in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at a later time at Fort Smith National Cemetery. The family is grateful for the wonderful, compassionate care by Shirley Henson and by the staff of ElDirect In Home Senior Care and the staff of Peachtree Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Avenue Baptist Church, 3900 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com