Betty Lou Ward (née Brink),
age 88, of Farmington, went to be with her Savior on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.
Betty was a homemaker who devoted her life to her husband and children. Betty
loved the Lord. She was a Freewill Baptist and a member of First Freewill Baptist Church in Fayetteville for most of her life. In her latter years, she attended Farmington Baptist Church on Main Street (now known as Main Street Baptist Church) as her health permitted. She enjoyed baking, reading, puzzles, Sudoku, spending time with her grandchildren and traveling. Betty traveled widely, visiting more than 20 countries. Her favorite destinations were Rome, Italy, and Antwerp, Belgium. She also loved animals, being the primary caregiver for her children’s many dogs, and in her old age, enjoying the companionship of Grizabella, her outdoor cat.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Edman Eugene “Gene” Ward; parents, James Eldon Brink and Ruth Brink (née Sprinston); and brothers, Harold Brink, Bill Brink, Richard “Dick” Brink, and infant brother, Jerry. She was also predeceased by her sisters-in-law, Daphne Brink, Melva Brink and Pam Brink; as well as her dear daughter-in-law, Pauline Ward.
Betty is survived by daughter, Jeannie Watts and husband Greg of Midland, Texas; daughter, Susan Dake and husband Roger of Springfield, Mo.; son, Dan Ward and wife Margie of Fayetteville; son, Ed Ward of Fayetteville; and daughter, Linda Ward of Fort Smith. She is further survived by 11 grandchildren, Mica Cook, Mark Watts, Robert Dake, Kristi Dake, Rachel Dake, Aaron Ward, Jennifer McKinney, Bobbi Beckett, Isaac Ward, Kendall Ward and Amy Cochran; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville, with a brief graveside service at McCord Cemetery.