Betty L. Hargrove

Betty Lois Hargrove, 88, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, entered into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, February 28, 2021. Born April 1, 1932 in Ada, Oklahoma to Fred and Grace Burkhart, she was the second oldest of four children, with two brothers and one sister. On March 23, 1956, she and James Earl Hargrove were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple had four children, whom she loved and adored, and were married months shy of 65 years.

Whether managing the books for Jim’s Midas shop or taking care of the children and the home, she was meticulous. From double-checking every cent on her trusty counting machine, keeping every surface spotless and every piece of cloth starched and ironed, Betty was one of the hardest workers and cleanest people. Whether in sickness or health, a complaint was rarely heard as she faithfully served and honored her promise and vows to the Lord and others.

She was a beloved wife, mother and Nana. The love she had for her family was only superseded by the love she had for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Word. At a young age, she began walking to church by herself where, the Lord kindly opened her heart to see her need for a Savior. From that point on, the Lord continued to give her an insatiable hunger and desire to read and know His Word, and to pray daily, by name, for those she loved. This was evidenced by her favorite passage in Psalm 119:89-94, “Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens… I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life.” It can be said of Nana that His Word was not an idle word; indeed, it was her life (Deut. 32:47).

She is preceded in death by her husband, James (Jim); her parents; brothers Fred and Jerry Burkhart and sister, JoAnn Thompson; and infant grandson Christopher James Hargrove and grandson Matthew Kevin Russell. She is survived by a son, Tim Hargrove (and wife, Becky) of Cave Springs, Arkansas; and three daughters – Sherry Hargrove of Lowell, Arkansas, Melinda Clark (and husband, Stan) of Fort Smith, and Dana Russell (and husband, Greg) of Fort Smith; six grandchildren – Calley Lanier (and husband, Shawn) of Cave Springs, Arkansas, Lindsey Clark of Franklin, Tennessee, Jenna Morehart (and husband, Tyler) of Fort Smith, Maegan Clark of Charlottesville, Virginia, Tyler Clark (and wife, Cassie) of Laurel, Mississippi, and Katelyn Slaughter (and husband, Lucas) of Overland Park, Kansas; and nine great-grandchildren – Stephen and Alivia Lanier of Cave Springs, Arkansas, Charis and Selah Roberts of Cave Springs, Arkansas, Andrew, Luke, MollyKate and soon-to-arrive, Caleb Morehart of Fort Smith and Lucie Joy Clark of Laurel, Mississippi, and a host of extended family. Pallbearers are Tim Hargrove, Stan Clark, Greg Russell, Shawn Lanier, Tyler Morehart, Tyler Clark and Lucas Slaughter. Grandson Matthew Russell is an honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (IMB) (www.imb.org/give-now/).