Biographical And Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland And Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas
Clifton Robert Betts
November 16, 1927-February 21, 2009
Rogers, Arkansas
Clifton Betts, 81 of Rogers, died Saturday February 21, 2009 in the Northwest Medical Center of Benton
County.
He was born November 16, 1927 in Springhill, Arkansas to Eldridge Betts, and Ellie Butler Betts.
Clifton served in the United States Army, post World War II stateside. He owned and operated Betts Alarm
Company for over 40 years, in California. Clifton invented his own car alarm system, and holds the first patent
on car alarms utilizing the horn to signal that a break in has occurred. He loved to tinker with electronics, he was
an expert welder, and was a mechanical designer.
Clifton had a great sense of humor, loved to tell jokes and funny stories; loved country music, and reading his
Bible. He enjoyed traveling internationally, as well as the continental United States. He moved to Northwest
Arkansas in 1993 from San Pablo, California. He was a Southern Baptist.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years Chris of the home; a son Wayne Betts and his wife Mary, of Rogers, three
daughters Brenda DeShields and her husband Michael of Suisun City, California, Roberta Betts of San Pablo,
California, Cynthia Lininger, and her husband Steven of Rio Vista, California; a brother Coy Betts, of
Pocahontas, Arkansas; 11 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Thursday February 26, 2009 at Stockdale Funeral Chapel, of Rogers, with
Pastor Ben J. Rowell officiating. Burial will be in Buttrams Chapel cemetery near Pea Ridge.
Visitation will be 6-8:00 pm Wednesday February 25, 2009 at Stockdale Funeral Service of Roger
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in honor of Clifton Betts to the American Cancer
Society, 3291 South Thompson, Suite D 104, Springdale, Arkansas 72764, or to the American Kidney
Foundation, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, Maryland 20852.
Jackie Vaudrey Taylor
January 30, 1954 - April 8, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Jackie Vaudrey Taylor, 61, of Rogers, Arkansas died Wednesday, April
8, 2015 at Circle of Life Legacy Village in Bentonville, Ark. He was
born January 30, 1954 in Springdale, Arkansas to Leonard Jackson
Taylor and Flossie McGarrah Taylor.
He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
Following the war he worked in construction building homes in
Northwest Arkansas. He loved to play pro-amateur golf, drive race
cars, and was an avid Razorback fan. Jackie lived his whole life to the
fullest and tried to find enjoyment in every moment.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Ronnie Boyd Taylor and Donnie
Lloyd Taylor.
Jackie is survived by two children; son, Jackson Taylor and wife, K.B,
daughter, Rachel Nicole Taylor and their mother, Brenda Taylor all of
Rogers; parents, Leonard and Flossie Taylor of Rogers; five
grandchildren, Zachary Taylor, Trenton Taylor, Lance Booher, Chandler
Wilson, Annabelle Wilson, two great grandchildren, Kadence Taylor,
Zoey Wilson; one brother, Kent Taylor of Pea Ridge and one sister,
Trecia McClain and husband, Tim of Rogers and Karon Hardt, personal
caregive and close companion.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 11, 2015 with
burial at Benton County Memorial Park cemetery. Visitation will be
from 10:00 am until service time.
Memorials may be made in honor of Jackie Taylor to Arkansas Children’s
Hospital or to The American Cancer Society.
Ailene Rushing Thames
April 21, 1931 - November 12, 2014
Rogers, Arkansas
Ailene (Rushing) Thames, 83, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, November
12, 2014 in Fort Worth. She was born April 21, 1931 in Rocksprings, Texas, to
Dan Hocker and Mary McMichen Hocker.
Ailene worked hard and loved to read and learn. At age twenty, she was a
single mother of a three year-old son. After working in a movie theater in
Monahans, Texas, she started beauty school in Abilene, Texas. At twenty-three,
she married
Bob Rushing and opened her first salon in Monahans … then a
larger one … and a third yet larger one. It was the 1950’s, and she was 'color-
blind, ' hiring beauticians regardless of race.
She was recruited to Odessa to manage a beauty school … then a larger one …
then built her own with a partner. She was a firm, but caring businesswoman.
Students who lived too far away to commute were welcomed to live in the
Rushing home while attending school. Her hundreds of students through the
years still thank her for teaching them that cosmetology is not just a job … it is
about making women feel good about themselves.
As her first son started college, she earned a GED and began her college
education. In the early 70’s, she sold her beauty school and began teaching
vocational cosmetology in junior colleges, while studying for her degree in
English. Continually being recruited to manage other vocational cosmetology
programs, she moved often, losing college credits each time. She finished her
English degree with two hundred credit hours, almost all 'A’s.'
She taught high school English, and worked toward her Master’s Degree in
Counseling Psychology. She continued counseling until her retirement.
Wherever she lived, she was active in the Presbyterian Church. Her path led to
her husband of thirty-five years, Jimmie D. Thames, a Presbyterian minister.
She was often honored for her dedication to God and church family.
When Jimmie retired, they lived in Pangburn, Rogers, and Bentonville,
Arkansas. They had recently moved to Mirabella Assisted Living Fort Worth,
Texas.
Ailene was preceded in death by her parents, Dan Hocker and Mary McMichen
Hocker.
She is survived by her loving husband, Jimmie D. Thames of Fort Worth, Texas;
daughters Elizabeth Allcon and husband Cliff of Benbrook, Texas,
Lana Riley and husband Al, of Rogers, Arkansas;
sons Larry Rushing and wife Lorraine of Helotes, Texas,
Alan Thames and wife Judy, of Indianapolis, Indiana,
Richard Thames of Springdale, Arkansas,
Jeff Thames and wife Angela, of Springdale, Arkansas;
granddaughters Jennifer Mulero of New Braunfels, Texas,
Anna Noel and husband Adam of Terre Haute, Indiana,
Callie Thames of Greenwood, Indiana,
Sarah Kern and husband Bryan of Columbus, Ohio,
Laura and Hannah Allcon of Benbrook, Texas;
grandsons Jonathan Thames and wife Jessica of Maumelle, Arkansas,
Andrew Thames of Conway, Arkansas,
John Saladino and wife Erika of Newport Beach, California,
Paul Saladino and wife Amanda of Houston, Texas,
Christopher Saladino of Cedar Park, Texas;
Nicholas Riley and wife Taylor of Giddings, Texas
great-granddaughters Ella Claire Thames of Little Rock, Arkansas, Ava Faith
Mulero of New Braunfels, Texas, Syvannah and Delilah Riley of Giddings,
Texas.
Memorial services will be held in Rogers, Arkansas, April 18, 2015, at 11 AM at Stockdale-
Moody Funeral Services Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ailene’s memory may be made to …
University of the Ozarks
Ailene Thames Memorial
ATTN: Lori McBee
415 N College
Clarksville, AR 72830
https://www.ozarks.edu/giving/donate.aspx
Avis Lenell Jones
November 24, 1921 - October 16, 2014
Rogers, Arkansas
Avis Lenell Jones, 92, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away
Thursday, October 16, 2014 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She
was born November 24, 1921 in Richland County, Wisconsin to
Norval A. Smith and Beulah Slaback Smith.
She was a nurse and worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rogers for
many years.
Avis was preceded in death by her husband, John 'Jack' Jones,
three children; two sisters and two brothers.
She is survived by two sons, Craig Jones and wife, Mary, of
Clifty, AR, Erin Jones of Rogers; five daughters, Toni Morrison,
Sheila Fischer, of Rogers, Pat Jones of Mauston, Wisconsin,
Rhonda Younger and husband, Charles of Siloam Springs, Julie
Jones of Centerton, AR; one sister, Elnora Nicks and numerous
grand, great and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 18,
2014 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Chapel in Rogers with the
Rev. Jim Keith officiating. Burial will follow at Rogers
cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time.
Kara Lee Thompson
June 3, 1976 - June 14, 2015
Rogers, Arkansas
Kara Lee Thompson, 39, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away,
Sunday, June 14, 2015. She was born June 3, 1976 in Cape
Girardeau, Missouri, and enjoyed growing up in Searcy
Arkansas. She is now a sweet angel in the truest sense as she
possessed an angelic disposition while she was here amongst us.
How lucky were we...
She had a wonderful, giving, generous heart and was the first to
reach out to meet a need or lend a hand. She enjoyed caring for
children, especially her nieces, nephews and cousins. Kara was
also very fond of animals and her home was always full of cats,
dogs and birds.
She is survived by her husband, David 'Jr' Thompson; her
parents, Lee and Shearon Underwood; four brothers, Clinton
Underwood and wife, Michelle, Brian Underwood and wife,
Marcey, Eric Underwood and wife, Kim and Brandon
Underwood; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday, June 17,
2015 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Serivces of Rogers.
Funeral services will be at 1pm, Friday, June 19, 2015 at
Landmark Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Collier officiating;
internment will follow at Gum Springs cemetery in Searcy.
Memorials may be made in honor of Kara Thompson to Healing
Hearts Foundation, http://babylosscomfort.com/grief-resources/
