Elizabeth B Goldsworth

Born in Kansas City, Kansas, her parents Arthur and Maurrie Wilkins moved back to their hometown of Mena, Arkansas when Betty was a child. She and younger sisters Nancy and Virginia graduated high school there.

Betty was recruited from high school to work at FBI headquarters in Washington D.C. and she was proud of her work there. In Washington she met and married John V. McLaughlin, then serving in the Marine Corp. They had two daughters Karen and Laurie after moving to upstate New York.

Betty moved to Houston, Texas with her daughters when her marriage ended and lived close by her sisters and families. During over 19 years in Houston, Betty made many friends through church, choir groups and her job. She married Sol Goldsworth of Houston and was close with his three daughters and grandchildren. Betty and Sol retired to Hot Springs, Arkansas adding to their circle of friends. They enjoyed road trips all over the US, visiting relatives and seeing the national parks. Sol lost his battle with cancer in 1992 and Betty stayed active in Hot Springs; volunteering at a hospital, the Hot Springs Blue Coats for senior games and activities, traveling with her close friends and caring for her mother in her final years. Eventually she agreed to leave her retirement home and join her daughters in California where she lived until she passed last month.

Betty is survived by her daughter Laurie Bellon of Cardiff, CA, step-daughter Estelle Premazon of Spring, TX, sister Nancy Eversburg of Beaumont, TX, ten grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband Sol Goldsworth, daughter Karen Scott, sister Virginia Briggs and parents Arthur and Maurrie Wilkins.

Betty’s wishes were to have her remains returned to Hot Springs and be placed alongside her husband Sol’s. A graveside memorial to celebrate Betty’s life is being planned in early spring to be held at Crestview Memorial Park in Hot Springs.

In lieu of flowers, Betty’s family requests donations to be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp, or donate by phone: 1.800.272.3900.