ARKADELPHIA — Judy Beth Hutcherson,

age 76, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at Arkansas Hospice Center in Hot Springs. She was born November 28, 1944, in Arkadelphia, the daughter of the late Alvin E. and Lorine Glover Clark. Judy Beth served in the United States Army Reserves in the 1st Battalion, 95th Division, in Arkadelphia for eight years. She enjoyed riding motorcycles, fishing, hunting, playing Bunko with her friends, crocheting and spending time with her puppies. Judy Beth was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Don Clark.

Her life centered around public service to the city of Arkadelphia and Clark County. She served as City Clerk and Treasurer for ten years for the city of Arkadelphia. Judy Beth met and married Elven Hutcherson and they worked together as owners of JBH Logging, Inc. She later went to work for then Clark County Sheriff Troy Tucker as a secretary in May of 1994. Judy Beth successfully campaigned for Clark County Treasurer and served the county from 1997 until her retirement in 2017. During her tenure, she served on numerous committees and boards representing her community. She was well respected and highly regarded within the Arkansas political arena and was elected the first female President of the Association of Arkansas Counties, where she served from 2015 through 2017, at which time she retired. Judy Beth was the only non county judge to ever hold this position.

Survivors are her husband of forty-two years, Elven Hutcherson, one son, Michael Saunders, daughters, Sharon Denise Kuhn (Tracy), Dena Jones and Leia Cast, eight grandchildren, Derrick Currey, Clay Currey (Nora Kate), Rebecca Fellers, Taelor and Josh Jones, Cason, Alyssa and Bailey Cast, six great-grandchildren, three brothers, Jimmy Clark (Karen), John Clark (Karen) and Wallis Clark.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 12, 2021, at Third Street Baptist Church with Rev. John McCallum officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Humane Society of Clark County, P.O. Box 435, Arkadelphia, Ark., 71923. Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit: www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.