of Batesville, AR

May 16, 1930 - December 12, 2023

Betty Jean Phelps, 93, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at The Springs in Batesville, Arkansas. She was born May 16, 1930 in Levy, Arkansas to Harry H. ''Buster'' and Naoma Smith Foster. Betty attended high school at St. Anne's Academy, a Catholic boarding school in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She often spoke of how much she enjoyed being there. She moved to Wyoming with her mother where she married and raised her two children. The next stop in her life was Lodi, California. Betty worked as a grocery store cashier for many years there. She met Ray Phelps, a police officer and married him in Reno, Nevada on August 2, 1964. They were married for 56 years when Ray passed away in 2020.

Ray and Betty retired and moved to Mountain View about 1980. They lived in the Kahoka/Chalybeate Springs area for more than 25 years. They moved to town in 2008. Betty owned and ran Betty's Café, a breakfast and lunch restaurant in JT's Service Station north of town. She was known for her delicious pies. At the 1st Bean Fest, Betty's Café won most original outhouse entry with the signage ''Eat at Betty's, Get Gas!''.

She loved going to yard sales and auctions. She would have one herself almost every year.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Phelps; her son, Lynn Root; her great grandson, Alex Harbut and her aunt and uncle, Kathryn and Wilburn Greer.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Hartle of Groveland, California; her step-son, Ricky Ray Phelps of Mountian View; grandchildren, Jeff Schock and Stefane Brenkwitz; great grandchildren, Anthony Harbut and Carignane Ferreria and great, great-granddaughter, Addalynn Harbut and her mother, Ashley Stagg.

Betty will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

No services are planned at this time.

Roller Crouch Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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