of Shirley, AR

June 2, 1932 - February 15, 2022

After a hard-fought battle, Veatrice Burgess Hunt went home on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. She was born to Jasper Sidney and Ruth (Barnum) Burgess on June 2, 1932, in Higden, Arkansas. The family moved to Shirley when Veatrice was 9 years old so her father could work on the M+NA Railroad.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Bobby Ann (Clarence) Barnum, brothers; Tom (Doris), Charlie, Lester, sisters; Dorothy, Mildred, mother and father in law, Lester and Bessie Hunt, sisters in law, Evelene (Ray) Clutts, Lucille (Arvil) Bradford, and Joy Fay (Grover) Johnson.

Veatrice attended Shirley School where she graduated in 1951. After graduation, she worked as an administrative assistant for the high school superintendent. She married the love of her life and friend, Ben G. Hunt at Pee Dee, Arkansas on October 31, 1953 and moved to Lawton, Oklahoma where he was stationed with the United States Army. After Ben's tour with the Army, they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where she worked for US Times. After several years there, they moved to their farm in Shirley, Arkansas where they still reside. Many years into the marriage, Veatrice's dreams of being a mother came true and they were blessed with a daughter, Candace Michelle. In 1968 they opened Hunt's One Stop which they operated until March of 1984. Then they enjoyed being able to concentrate full time on their Cow-Calf Farm. A son was added to the family when Candace married Paul Smith. In 1997 the family was complete with the birth of her grandson, Ben Ryan Smith. Veatrice, known affectionately as Birdie by family and friends. Birdie was a strong Christian who loved God with all her heart and was baptized as a member of the Shirley Community Church. She loved her family fiercely and was always there for each and everyone. She loved working on the farm with Ben G. and you hardly ever saw him with out her. Veatrice never missed an event her grandson was involved in, especially baseball.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ben G. Hunt of Shirley, Arkansas, daughter and son-in-law, Paul and Candace Smith of Shirley, Arkansas, grandson, Ben Ryan Smith of Edwards AFB, California siblings; Billy (Rebecca) of Shirley, Ester of Michigan and many nieces, nephews cousins and friends.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m, Friday, February 18, 2022 at Eglantine Cemetery in Shirley, Arkansas.

To express condolences online please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
Highway 65 South
Clinton, AR  72031
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com