Betty England

Betty Doris Sadler England passed away at her home on April 13, 2013, after a long illness. She was 88 years old, born on August 9, 1924 in Rison. She was the daughter of John Craig Sadler and Mollie Ethyl Brown. She was the granddaughter of John L. and Emma Sinclair Sadler of Rison and Claude and Alva Meroney Brown of Cornerville in Lincoln County. Betty was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class in 1942. She holds a degree from Hendrix College. She was a former employee of the Petroleum Oil Company in Little Rock, the Cleveland County Telephone Company, and Rison Public Schools. She was a member of the Rison United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women's Circle, serving as treasurer of the Methodist Church for nearly 40 years. Betty carried on the devoted leadership in the church begun by her great great grandparents Calvin and Sarah Sinclair, who were founding members of the Methodist Church in Cleveland County over 140 years ago. Betty was a member of the Rison Book Club, a volunteer at Jefferson Hospital, and an avid bridge player. She had also been a member of the Rison Garden Club and the Eastern Star. She was an accomplished seamstress and was very skilled at all types of stitchery. She enjoyed her home on the lake in Hot Springs, her boat, and her fellowship with her husband and friends at the horse races at Oaklawn Park. She also enjoyed baking, her computer, traveling, crossword puzzles, home décor, and most of all, she enjoyed being with her friends and family. She was devoted to her grandchildren and cherished every visit she had with them. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jack Ray England, and by three children Pamela (and Don Martin), Terri (and Gary Lindquester), and Jack Ray (Jay) England, Jr. (and Shari Davis). She has nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and eight step-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving caregivers and friends Willie Mae Jones, Patricia Brandon, Dora Rauls, Felicia McCleod, and Dorothy Thomas. Funeral services are Tuesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m. at the Rison Methodist Church with Reverend Richard Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation is on Monday night at Buie Funeral Home, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Pallbearers for Betty England are her grandsons and grandsons-in-law: Jack Ray England, III, Eric England Lindquester, Will Sadler Lindquester, Michael Craig Robinson, Allen Killgore, and Jackson Randall. Honorary pallbearers are George Ackerman, Rufus T. Buie, Ben Elrod, Billy John Mays, Paul Scarbrough, Stan Sadler, and Cliff Hopson. Memorials may be made to the Rison United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 468, 800 South Main Street, Rison, AR, 71665. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.