Betty Jean Pike Watson

Betty Jean Pike Watson, 90, passed away November 26, 2022. She was born December 23, 1931, at Olena, AR, near Almyra to Carl and Mildred Pike.

Betty attended the Olena country school until she finished grade school. She then rode the Almyra school bus into DeWitt, where she graduated from DeWitt High School in 1950. While in DeWitt High School, she met the love of her life, Robert Lee Watson. After graduation they married. Robert Lee served his time in the U.S. Air Force, and Betty was always able to move from base to base with him. While stationed in Biloxi, MS, their first child, Bob, was born. 

In 1959, Robert Lee surrendered to the ministry, and Betty became a "preachers wife", a job she dearly loved. She enjoyed teaching teen girls and young women. Betty loved being a mother to Bob and Mark, being a homemaker and cook, and took great pride in her yard and flowers. One of her greatest blessings was being "Ma B" to Jon, Aaron, and Bethany.

Betty was preceded in death by her parent Carl and Mildred Pike, brother Billy Carl Pike, husband Robert Lee Watson, and grandson Robert Aaron Watson. 

Betty leaves behind her sons Bob (wife Beverly) and Mark, who cared for her in her last days with love and kindness; her grandchildren Jonathan Watson (Perri) and Bethany Watkins (Mat) of Stuttgart, AR; great grandchildren Kaylee and Evan Watson and Hali and Hollyn Watkins of Stuttgart, AR, and Paxton Carr (David) of Cabot, AR; great great grandchildren Wilder and Kye Carr of Cabot; and a nephew William Pike of St. Paul, MN. She leaves behind many precious friends.

Funeral services were November 30 at Unity Missionary Baptist Church with burial in Cedarcrest Memorial Gardens by Essex Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Unity Missionary Baptist Church or to loveachild.com.   www.essexfuneralhome.com