January 26, 1940 - June 10, 2023

On the evening of Saturday, June 10, 2023, Betty Geneace Rawlins Kingston slipped into the arms of our Lord at her home from the effects of dementia.

On January 26, 1940, Betty was born to Roy Calvin and Ida Mae Barham Rawlins in Prescott, AR. Betty enjoyed being an only child until her sister was born 8 years later. She completed classes at all of the Prescott schools, with graduation from Prescott High School in 1958. Betty made many school friends with her outgoing personality and was named FFA Sweetheart her senior year. All throughout her childhood and teenage years, Betty excelled at and loved playing piano for church and various school presentations.

In the summer of 1958 Betty moved to Little Rock, AR to get her adult life started. She first attended a secretarial school and then was employed by Travelers Insurance. During this time Betty met Duane Kingston who had just completed seven years in the Navy. Within a year, they were engaged and later married at Central Baptist Church in Prescott, AR in 1960. Duane and Betty established their home in Little Rock, as Duane was employed by Baldwin Electronics. Within the first year they were blessed with the first of three sons, Tony and within the next 4 years Barry and Ben joined the family.

Duane felt the Lord calling him into ministry. So, leaving electronics employment behind, Duane and family embarked on serving the Lord, as Duane pastored numerous Baptist Missionary Association churches in Arkansas and Tennessee. Betty was devoted to keeping the home steady and mothering three boys...while often employed outside the home as well. Betty's longest employment was with Twin City/Centennial Bank. At the time of her retirement, she had been working in the loan department for several years.

Describing Betty would be incomplete without remembering her talent and love for the piano and southern gospel quartets...with the Guardians being her favorite. At every church Duane pastored, Betty was honored to be the pianist for services. Betty and her sister, Bobbie, referred to themselves as Southern Gospel groupies and attended as many concerts as possible within driving distance of home.

In June 2002, Betty was heartbroken to lose her first born Tony, to a severe liver disease. In April 2007, her beloved Duane succumbed to heart-related issues. She now rejoices with them again. Betty is also predeceased by grandparents, Reverend Cris and Ola Barham.

Betty is survived by her daughter-in-law, Vickie Kingston (Tony's widow); son, Barry Kingston (Tammy) and son, Ben Kingston (Dawn); grandchildren, Brian Kingston (Erin), Alicia Kingston, Christopher Kingston, Alex Kingston (Karie), Anna Kingston, Molly Kingston, Benjamin Kingston (fiance, Emma Anderson) and Tony Kingston; great-grandchildren, Mataya Weck (Vinny), Victoria Kingston, Nanette Kingston, Zebediah Kingston and William Kingston; additional survivors are sister, Bobbie Rawlins; sister-in-law, Dianna Campbell and first cousins, Mary Nell Loyed, Hazel Langston, Judy Jones, Lisa Zirkle and Harvey Barham.

Funeral service will be at 12 noon, Friday, June 16, 2023 at Oak Park Baptist Church. Visitation begins 11:00 A.M. at the church. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander, AR.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Baptist College Music Department, 1501 College Avenue, Conway, AR 72034

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com