Betty Thomas Duke, born October 18, 1934, in Arkadelphia, AR, died December 8, 2019. The daughter of Elbert Thomas and Laura Presley Thomas, she grew up in Hollywood, AR, attending public schools there and in Arkadelphia. Though born in the midst of the Great Depression, she had many wonderful memories of her childhood and a special affection and affinity for the old families of the Hollywood community.

Betty married Bill Duke in 1951. The couple lived briefly in Dallas, but soon returned to Arkansas when Bill was hired as a millwright for Reynolds Metals Company. For many years Bill and Betty also owned a farm in Halfway, AR, where they raised cattle and soybeans. After the births of her four children, Betty decided to continue her education. A supportive, but somewhat dubious Dean of Admissions at Henderson State Teachers College waived the usual entrance requirements with the not-so-reassuring comment, "Lady, if you think you can get a college degree while helping run a farm and raising four children, go ahead and give it a try." With the encouragement and assistance of Bill, her neighbors, and wonderful Henderson professors, Betty graduated in May 1965 with honors and a degree in education.  That fall she began her long teaching career in Delight, AR.

When her marriage to Bill ended in the 1970s, Betty moved to Little Rock and in 1982 completed her master's degree in public education administration at the University of Arkansas. She later married Jack May and taught for years in some of Pulaski County's most challenging school districts. Students in her well-disciplined classes received high-quality instruction and were treated with respect, fairness, and compassion. Young teachers often sought Betty's counsel and benefitted from her encouragement and advice. Over the years she enjoyed the close friendship and camaraderie of some of Arkansas' finest educators including Judy Harris Kauffman, Peggy Hargraves, Jim and Janet Tarkington, Marian Watkins, Rita Chappell, and many, many others.

Retiring to Arkadelphia in 1994, Betty spent much of her time as care-giver for her mother, aunts, and other elderly family members. She enjoyed politics and eagerly looked forward to sessions of the Arkansas General Assembly where she worked as an administrative aide. She traveled frequently, took pleasure in restoring her childhood home in Hollywood, and loved her part-time teaching job in the Arkadelphia public schools. Shopping was a favorite pastime and those of us who took road trips with her across the country became, voluntarily or not, intimately familiar with every antique store and shopping mall along the way.

Betty also enjoyed gardening, estate sales, perpetually re-decorating her home, and preparing elaborate meals for her family and friends. Her expertise in the kitchen was legendary. She loved all types of good food, but had a special appreciation for traditional Southern recipes, whether prepared by her or others. No doubt, she is already planning a celestial family get-together and supper replete with her famous corn bread, fried chicken, turnip, mustard and collard greens (with salt pork, of course), fried okra, fresh black-eyed peas, candied sweet potatoes, blackberry cobbler . . . and gallons of sweet iced tea.

Betty is survived by her children, Sharon Minton (Wyndy) of Gurdon, AR, Jack Duke and Joe Duke, both of Hollywood, and John T. Duke of Friendswood, TX; a sister, Polly Wallace of Fort Worth, TX, and a brother, Bill Thomas (Betty) of Birmingham, AL. Her life is also perpetuated by six grandchildren (Mike Minton, Ginger Walker, John A. Duke, Joey Duke, Marc Minton, and Nathan Stevens), and two great-grandchildren (Zack and Chassidy Walker), and a host of other friends and relatives across the country who were, as each of them know so well, a precious and central part of her life.

Those who provided singularly unwavering support during her last years include nieces Amanda Thomas and Christine Tesmer as well as her dear friends and neighbors on Evonshire Drive, Peggy Dorris, Marty Shaw, and Elaine Cox.  Betty's support group also included longtime friends Gigi Givens, Jo Long, Jean Price, Sarah Strickland, Carolyn McAnally, Joyce Morehead, friends and caregivers Willette and Kevin Leeper, and the congregation of the First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia where Betty was a member.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by a brother, Glenn E. Thomas, by a brother-in-law, George Wallace, by her first husband, Bill Duke, and by her second husband, Jack May.

The family expresses thanks to the many fine employees of The Plaza Assisted Living facility in Arkadelphia, the CHI St. Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital in Hot Springs, AR, and the Encore Health and Rehabilitation facility in Malvern, AR, for their excellent care and many kind words of encouragement during Betty's stays.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, December 10.

Private Family Graveside services are planned.

Pallbearers will be Wyndy Minton, Steve Duke, Steve Thomas, Barry Wallace, Mike Minton, and Marc Minton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church 623 Pine St Arkadelphia, AR 71923 or the McAnally Cemetery Fund  c/o Carolyn McAnally, 1381 Hwy 26 W  Arkadelphia, AR 71923.