of Brooklyn, NY

June 6, 1928 - June 25, 2024

Betty Loudene Yarbery (née McLaughlin) passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. She was 96 years old. The cause of death was heart failure.

Mrs. Yarbery is survived by her daughter, Starlett Yarbery of Brooklyn, New York and two sisters, Mrs. Patsy Martin and Mrs. Dasiel Beaver of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas.

Known affectionately as "Miss Betty" by many, she was born on a farm near Judsonia, Arkansas on June 6, 1928. Despite her diminutive stature, she was an enthusiastic basketball player in high school. A devout Baptist, she joined Clearwater Church at the age of 12 and met her future husband, Bill Yarbery, there shortly after his return from Germany, where he had served in WWII and as part of the US Army occupying forces in the months after the war. For many years, she was a military wife, following her husband during his frequent transfers. During that time, she worked as a professional seamstress and was an active member of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union.

After her husband's retirement from the military, they settled in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where they raised their daughter. Mrs. Yarbery became involved in a variety of civic activities. A lifelong Democrat, she frequently worked as an election poll worker. For many years, she was a Girl Scout troop leader with the Mt. Magazine Girl Scout Council. She also volunteered with the local branch of the Red Cross, worked as a Sunday School teacher at the Grand Avenue Baptist Church and designed patterns and made costumes for productions at Westark Community College (now the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith), the Fort Smith Children's Theatre, the Fort Smith Little Theatre and the King Opera House Players of Van Buren.

Raised as a farm girl, Mrs. Yarbery retained a lifelong love of gardening. After moving to Searcy, Arkansas, following her husband's death, she volunteered with the University of Arkansas Extension Office's Master Gardeners Program.

In 2017, Mrs. Yarbery moved to New York City to live with her daughter. She was an active member of the Morningside Heights senior organization, Lily, and loved spending time in many of NYC's beautiful green spaces, especially Bryant Park, the Battery Park City Esplanade and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. As long as her health permitted, she worshipped at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Mrs. Yarbery's memorial service will be held at Clearwater Baptist Church, which is located at 3032 AR-157, Judsonia, Arkansas on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 6 PM. All services are under the direction of Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy, Arkansas.

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