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Betty Lou Sanders
Betty Lou Sanders, 75, was born on October 29, 1950, in Morrilton, Arkansas, and passed away on July 1, 2026, in Mabelvale, Arkansas, surrounded by the family and loved ones who meant everything to her.
Betty was preceded in death by her heart and soul, her beloved husband, Mike Sanders, with whom she shared 40 devoted years. Betty and Mike shared the kind of love that was rare, steady, and deeply rooted. They never wanted to spend a day apart, and she loved him with everything she had. He was her home, her comfort, and her greatest love. After Mike’s passing, Betty carried an ache in her heart that never truly left her. She grieved him deeply until her own passing, and her family finds peace in believing that she has now been reunited with the man she loved so completely.
She was also preceded in death by her oldest son, Larry Wayne Harris; her parents, Jessie and Minzie Morris; her sister, Joyce Williams; and her brothers, Benny Morris and Bobby Morris.
Betty is survived by her children, Robert Wayne Harris and Michelle Harris; her siblings, Barbara Long, Judy Morris, Jessie Morris, Billy Morris, Freda Hirby, and Lisa Calhoun; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and loved ones who will miss her beyond measure.
Family was at the very center of Betty’s life. She loved her brothers and sisters deeply, and the closeness they shared was one of the greatest blessings of her life. She found comfort in being surrounded by them, talking with them, laughing with them, and simply knowing they were near. Through every happiness and every heartache, her family was the place she turned for strength.
Betty’s love also extended to every niece, nephew, and child in the family. She had a way of making each one feel special, often giving them nicknames that only she could make sound so loving. Chasity, whom she affectionately called “Little Boog,” held a particularly special place in her heart. Betty loved to spoil the children, hug them tightly, fuss over them, and make sure they always knew how much they were loved.
To be loved by Aunt Betty was to feel safe, welcomed, and important. She gave the kind of hugs that could make a hard day feel a little easier. Her hugs were warm, genuine, and full of the love she sometimes did not even need words to express.
A devoted homemaker, Betty spent her days caring for her home and making it comfortable for Mike, her family, and anyone who came through her door. She took pride in keeping a clean and welcoming home, but what made it truly special was the love inside it. Visitors were never made to feel like strangers. They were family, and Betty made sure they felt at home.
Betty was a simple woman who never needed much to be happy. She found joy in the people she loved, in the comfort of home, and in the small moments shared with family. She did not measure her life by what she owned, but by the love she gave and received.
She felt heartache deeply because she loved deeply. Even through loss, Betty continued to find comfort in her family and in the people who stood beside her. She was, and always will be, adored by so many.
Her family will miss her hugs, her nicknames, her caring nature, and the way she made everyone feel loved. They will miss the comfort of her presence and the warmth she brought into every room.
Although her passing leaves an emptiness that cannot be filled, those who loved her find comfort in knowing that Betty is once again with Mike—her husband, her one true love, her heart, and her soul.
Their love did not end with death. It simply waited for them to be together again.
A celebration of Betty’s Life will be 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. July 11, 2026. Please contact the family for the address.
John William Gillmore
John William Gillmore age 98 of Benton, Passed away on Wednesday July 1, 2026. He was born February 15, 1928 in Washburn Missouri. John was a Christian and Deacon and taught Sunday school for over 55 years, and did some “Lay preaching” and was a member of Spring Creek Missionary Baptist Church, and authored three booklets and two study booklets,
John was a Civil Engineer, AR. Professional Engineer, #1406, worked with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 36 years. Worked on the design of Dardanelle Dam, Greer Ferry and Beaver Dams; was Structural Engineer for the Construction of the Titan Missile complex in Arkansas; worked in the field office for the construction of three Arkansas River Locks and Dams. Maintained an overview of operation for 13 locks and dams on the Arkansas River. He spent 90 days in Saudi Arabia, worked four years with Corps of Engineers in Dallas, Texas over-viewing construction of several military contruction and received several awards for outstanding work.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John A. Gillmore and Nora Ann Williams Gillmore, wife Bonnie Faye Coyle Gillmore, daughter, Marcia Ann(Harry)Atchley.
Survivors, son, John Richard (Virginia) Gillmore, three grandchildren, April (William) Mitchell, Amber (Trevor) Whitt, Alicia Atchley, five great grandchildren, Sean, Sara, and Harvey Dewitt, Tala and Ziva Mitchel.
Graveside services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Pine Crest Cemetery.
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Karen Elaine (Beck) Oliver
Karen Elaine (Beck) Oliver of Mabelvale, Arkansas was born November 12, 1952 in Silver City, New Mexico to Ruth and Billie Beck. Karen was raised alongside her two brothers, Friedrich “Freddy” and Bill Jr. in New Mexico until the family’s move to Arkansas in 1957. Karen, a grandmother of 31 years and a wife of 40 years passed peacefully on June 30th, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
Karen spent her early years creating memories with her brothers. She attended school and ultimately graduated from McClellan High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In her adult years, Karen would go on to have two children, Christopher Sr. (1974) and Shannon (1978). She would later marry her husband and late life partner, Robbie Oliver in 1985.
Karen spent her best years cooking for loved ones, completing word searches, crocheting and tending to her vegetable garden.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Billie Beck, and her brother, Bill Jr.
She is survived by her brother Freddy Beck and his wife Sharyon, her sister in law, Sherry Beck, her children; Christopher Gentry Sr. and Shannon Pierson, her grandchildren; Jordan Gentry, Nadia Godec, Hailey (Gentry) Fogleman, Amelia Godec, Christopher Gentry Jr., and Carson Gentry, her great grandchildren; Tyrion Fogleman, Tyrin Fogleman and Zeppelin Chisholm, and her loving husband, Robbie Oliver.
In accordance with her final wishes, Karen will be cremated and laid to rest in the Salem Cemetery in East End, Arkansas.
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