Betty Sue Rogers Phillips, 77
Betty (Ms. Betty) Phillips was born in Hope, Arkansas on February 21, 1947. She was the second baby born in the hospital there at that time. Betty had an older sister, Alicia, who passed away the year before Betty was born. Alicia’s dolls were named Betty and Sue, so her mother Evelyn named Betty after Alicia’s dolls…Betty Sue.
Betty grew up primarily in Texas, with a short stint in Oklahoma. She made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at 7 years old in the First Baptist Church in Elmore City, OK by her pastor, Brother Gray. She was a First Baptist Hope member, serving as the children’s music teacher, preschool teacher, and church librarian for many years. She was also a member of Geyer Springs Baptist Church, Little Rock. She is currently a member of First Baptist, Fayetteville, AR where she served as a GA leader and assisted in several Vacation Bible Schools.
Betty was a member of The Order of Rainbow for Girls. She completed a college degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood and Music in August 1980. She taught for 8 years in public and private schools. She was a childcare licensing specialist for the state of Arkansas from 1984 to 1991 and a program director for the Ark-Tex Council of Government from February 1991 to August 2000. She held the same position in Denison Texas for 2 years before she became ill and retired in 2002.
Betty enjoyed exploring new things, singing, shopping, cooking, writing, reading, and playing games. She could beat anyone in Trivial Pursuit. Her hobbies were crafting and genealogy.
Betty was a loving mother to her two girls and a second mom to many of their friends. She was quick to help anyone in need regardless of her current situation. She was by nature a leader. She knew and expected proper Southern etiquette and pronunciation from everyone. To say she was a force to be reckoned with is putting it mildly. By her own admission, some of her happiest memories included having fun with her family.
Betty will be remembered by her countless friends as assertive, opinionated, helpful, determined, loving, a lover of all things Elvis, and one that “got things done.” She once took a job stating she had computer experience and immediately signed up for a course on computers to make that a true statement. She lived by faith and wanted nothing more than for everyone to know the love of Jesus Christ.
Betty is survived by her children Kellie Rene’ Phillips Cornelius, her husband John, and Karin Rachelle’ Phillips Alvarado, her husband Jason, her grandchildren, Audrey Nicole Alvarado and Isabel Grace Alvarado, her brother John Alvie Rogers, his wife Sue, two nieces, two nephews, countless cousins, and several great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ludie Evelyn Calhoon Rogers, her father John Everett Rogers, sister Sylvia Pauline Rogers, and sister Alicia Flo Rogers.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Saturday, November 9th at noon. A meal for family and out-of-town guests will follow the service. We ask that you come ready to laugh and share all that Ms. Betty meant to you. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up in her name at First Baptist Church Fayetteville to continue to support her grandchildren’s quest to share the gospel with the world. Donations can be made out to “Suriname Trip in honor of Betty Phillips” and mailed to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1324 Fayetteville, AR 72702.
Services under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville, AR
To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com