of Conway, AR

March 10, 1932 - February 10, 2024

Catherine Elizabeth (Betsy) Gary was born to John and Mary Rumker on March 10, 1932 in Conway, Arkansas. She passed away on February 10, 2024 after a very sudden decline in her health. Betsy was 91 years old.

Betsy was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, George and Andy Rumker and her husband, Joe Gary, who died in 2009. They were married 55 years.

Although she worked at many jobs, Betsy said her greatest job in life was being a mother. She will be forever cherished and remembered by her three children, Robert Gary of Conway, Cheryl Baker (Glenn) of South Carolina and A.J. Gary (Kim) of Vilonia. Her grandchildren, Laci (Chad) Roller of Vilonia, Blake (Morgan) Gary of Conway, Samantha (Justin) St.John of Saginaw, Texas and Christopher (Leanne) Northcutt of South Carolina. Great-grandchildren, Declan Northcutt, Daelan Northcutt, Harper Roller, Hadlee Roller, Hayes Roller and Parker St. John.

As well as her brother, Robert W. Rumker of Kansas City, Missouri. Her memory will also live on with her nieces and nephews at the yearly family reunions.

Betsy was a private and quiet person yet, she loved to laugh. She often shared stories of a fabulous childhood growing up in Conway. A close time she came to getting a whipping, she told, was when she waded a creek in her new church dress catching crawdads. As well, she disclosed family adventures as a young woman living in Missouri and a young wife and mother living in California

She was most loyal to her family and friends. She was also strong-willed. That was who she was and her strength undoubtedly helped her deal with life's challenges. Her friends knew they could always turn to her for wisdom and advice.

A woman of faith, she was a devout Catholic-a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. Through the years, she worked at a variety of jobs, including on military installations in California. There was only one that she couldn't handle-the one where she was assigned to work with the remains of deceased soldiers. While an honor, she said, she just couldn't handle the pain.

She was more cut out, she said, to work with clothing. She retired from J.C. Penney in Conway in 1994.

She lived her life with respect for everyone-especially veterans. She served for seven years on the Board of Directors for the Museum of Veterans and Military History in Vilonia-retiring only last month due to her health.

She was a talented seamstress, an avid reader and loved to work in the yard and garden. And, the fruits of her garden and kitchen often went to her friends and neighbors. She was known for her canned bread and butter pickles, grape pies and fudge. Her fudge was sought after and brought premium bids at many museum auctions. She also decided to take art lessons in her late 80s and enjoyed creating scenes from photos that she had taken from her and Joe's early travels.

ln lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the St. Joseph School Endowment at 1315 College Ave., Conway, AR 72034 or the Museum of Veterans at P.O. Box 668, Vilonia, Arkansas 72173, located at 53 N. Mt. Olive. Betsy's family wishes to thank Heritage Living Center, Conway Regional and Gentiva Hospice Conway for the care they gave during the heartbreaking last days of Betsy's amazing life. Also, a special thanks goes to the Liberty Fire Department during that time for their rapid responses.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com