Betty Lou (Estes) Benton

Betty Lou (Estes) Benton, 94, of Glencoe, Arkansas passed away on Friday February 27, 2026 at Salem, Arkansas. She was born August 4, 1931 in Agnos, Arkansas to John Matt Estes and Dora Agnes (Hall) Estes.

She married Ford Benton on February 5, 1949 and they were happily married for 68 years.

She helped Ford on the farm for many years. In 1963 Ford and Betty Benton and Weldon and Earlene Zeigler opened a store they called “B & Z Variety” on the square in Salem which Betty and Earlene operated. It was a place where all the kids came to buy penny candy, people who worked around the square came by just to visit or shop and lifelong acquaintances and friendships were formed. They closed the store in 1980.

Then Betty went to work as an Office Clerk at Fulton County Hospital and worked there for 20 years where she made many more wonderful friends, then decided to retire.

She enjoyed gardening, seeing her flowers blooming, reading and spending time with her family.

She was a long time member of Burk’s Chapel Church of Christ.

Betty is survived by son, Michael Benton (Sherry) of Benton, Arkansas; daughter, Marilyn Lee (Mike) of Sherwood, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Robert Benton (Stephanie) of Sherwood, Arkansas, Laura Cale (Dwayne) of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Katelyn Lawrence (Robert); three great grandchildren, Jenna Cale, Lindsey Cale, and  Brody Cale; two sisters-in-law, Cherry Estes of Mountain Home, Arkansas and Earlene Zeigler of Glencoe, Arkansas. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and many friends.

The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbors who stopped by to say Hi and visit, sent her cards, and brought food when she was at home and in the Living Center. And thank you to the staff at Southfork Therapy and Living Center.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday March 4, 2026 at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas with Bro. Josh Alexander officiating. Visitation will be 10:30 A.M. until time of service Wednesday March 4, 2026 at Barker Funeral Home. Interment will follow services at the Burk's Chapel Cemetery in Camp, Arkansas. Pallbearers are Robert Benton, Dwayne Cale, Randy Zeigler, Bryan Wilson, Larry Taylor, and Doug Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Derek Hall, Jerry Overman, Dwight Smith, Wendell Romine, Larry Brown, Ron Plumlee, Greg Workman, and Scott Plumlee. Memorials may be made to the Paragould Children's Home in Paragould, Arkansas. Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas.