Rebecca Lou (Harper) Crouch

Rebecca Lou (Harper) Crouch, age 83, lived a life of love, faith, and friendship. She immediately started making new friends on January 14, 1942, in Pansy, Arkansas, when she was born to Alphonse and Roceail (Norton) Harper. Becky was a cradle to grave United Methodist beginning with Prosperity UMC in Pansy where her family donated the land for the church. She grew up in Pansy with her sister Anna Rose where they attended and graduated from Woodlawn. As a student she was voted best all around, a member of the FHA and the music club, was homecoming queen, and was on the basketball team, where she was known as the “Pansy Flash.”

Becky set her sights on the big city, moving to Monticello after graduation to attend UAM then transferring to Henderson in Arkadelphia where she earned her undergraduate degree in Home Economics. Her first job out of college was in Hamburg as an Ashley County Agent through the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. As she was making new friends she met Tommy Crouch, home fresh from the Army. She thought he was short, funny, and handsome. They were married on June 8, 1963, and were married off and on for over fifty years.

After moving to Hope for work, Becky gave birth to their only child, Carla Crouch Tate. The Crouch family lived in Hope for thirty years and it became their home. They put down roots and made lifelong friends. Becky could be found on the tennis court with Penny, Pam, and Jan; “playing bridge” with her Bridge club; or volunteering and worshipping at the Hope United Methodist Church. She worked the Band booster, chaperoned the band bus, and accompanied a high school group to New York City. She taught school, was a county extension agent, was a property manager and realtor, and owned and operated the Loose Goose. She also served on the Board of the School of Hope for many years. In every position, paid or voluntary, she made friends that she cherished throughout her life. Many of Carla’s friends say that they always felt like one of “Becky’s”.

As for education, she was a lifelong learner. She obtained a master’s degree in Home Economics while Carla was in kindergarten. In her 50’s she returned to college and obtained a second master’s degree—this time in professional counseling. She was a counselor in Hope and Fort Smith, finally retiring at the age of 71.

Becky made friends in every occasion of her life—at school, at work, at church, on her travels, at the store, and the post office, and the bank, the parking lot. . . After retiring and moving to Rogers, she combined her people skills with her love of antiques, working at the Copper Crown, where she had an endless supply of people to talk to. By the time you left she knew all about your family, your hometown, and your troubles. But when you left a conversation with Becky you were smiling.

She was brave and loved adventure. She traveled to China, Colombia and Ireland (when she was 78). In Ireland she studied her genealogy in Dublin only to find out that the Harpers were actually Scottish but that just put a trip to Scottland on her list! During her travels she again made new friends and introduced other countries to her southern charm and storytelling.

Becky had many loves in her life: Her husband Tommy who preceded her in death in 2017, her daughter Carla and her husband Vince and the three most beautiful, talented, loving, caring, smart granddaughters: Ellery Jane, Lucy Mayerly, and Willa Rose. She loved her family dearly and is survived by her Sisters-in law, Linda Tucker and Carol Moyers (David), a brother-in-law, Lewis Wilson, Nephews David Lyons (Ronda) , Mark Lyons (Keikilani), Edward Tucker (Tracy), Michael Moyers (Kristen), Calvin Wilson (Leigh Ann) and a niece, Lisa Gilbert ( Don) as well as a host of cousins, great nieces and great nephews.

Becky was proud of her small-town southern Pansy roots and now she has her wings! We are comforted knowing that she is reunited with friends and family that have gone before her, and we are confident that she has already made new friends!

There will be two separate celebrations of Becky’s life: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 11:00 Hunt Chapel in Rogers AR with a reception following at Mt. Hebron Prairie View Center and Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 11:00 Prosperity United Methodist Church in Pansy AR.

Memorial donations may be made to Prosperity United Methodist Church 50 Hwy 11, Rison, AR 71665

Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com