Betty Collett

Betty Sue Collett, 95, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on January 29, 2026. She was born on October 8, 1930, in Muldrow, Oklahoma, to the late Robert James Green and Mildred Pauline Rowland Green.

Betty married the love of her life, Dean Collett, on March 31, 1950. They were blessed with three daughters: Paula, Mary, and Elizabeth. Betty was a stay-at-home mother while raising her daughters, later becoming the first preschool teacher at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Smith.

During this time, Betty attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, graduating with honors in 1976. She then began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Beard Elementary School in Fort Smith.

Throughout her 25-year teaching career, Betty touched the lives of countless students, many of whom continued to speak fondly of her dedication and kindness as a teacher. In 1991, she was honored with the Teacher of the Year Golden Apple Award. Betty retired from teaching in 1996 to spend more time with her grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Grandma Betty.”

Betty was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith. In her later years, she remained in her home, where she deeply appreciated the monthly visits from her pastors and always looked forward to those times of fellowship.

Betty loved gardening and took great joy in caring for her flowers and plants, and she was well known for her love of cooking and baking for her friends and family.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Collett; her brother, Paul Green; her sister-in-law, Margie Green; and a grandson-in-law, Dan Freeman.

She is survived by her three daughters, Paula Porter (Jackie) of Rudy, Arkansas; Mary Heard (Don) of Fort Smith; and Elizabeth Frederick (Bill) of Muldrow; her brother, Jerry Green (Shirley) of Muldrow; five grandchildren, Stephen Smith (Lisa), Valorie Freeman, Jon Heard (Cara), Matt Frederick (Kendall), and Natalee Taylor (Matt); and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 N. 12th Street, Fort Smith.

A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 1115 North D Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Interment will follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church.