Betty Bruner

Betty Taggart Bruner of Little Rock, formerly of Arkadelphia, died Thursday, May 7th, 2009 at the age of 89. Betty "B" as her friends called her was born May 6th 1920 in Bethany, Mo. She was the daughter of the late Charles M. Taggart and Ollie Imes Taggart. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert R. Bruner, and two sisters Lois Wooderson and Bonna Fordyce. She is survived by a sister Loree Thomas, three children, Robert S. Bruner of Bennington, NE, Linda Finch of Leavenworth, KS and Kathy Schaus of Little Rock. Betty is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was a business graduate of Central Methodist College at Fayette, MO where she met her husband Robert (Bob) R. Bruner, a music education major. She joined him in Post Occupation WWII Germany. She supported him as a band director in Bethany, MO. and Indianola, IA. In 1964 they moved to Arkadelphia, AR where Bob ultimately became Dean of Fine Arts at Henderson State University.

Betty was devoted to her family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia, P.E.O., Henderson Philharmonic Club, Henderson Women's Sewing, Clarion Club and a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church Choir. Betty "B" was a great philanthropist to all spectrums of the arts at Henderson and Ouachita in Arkadelphia. She very rarely missed a concert, football game (to hear the band) or a recital at either one of the Universities. She was adored by many students, friends and faculty members for her caring and giving spirit. She was an excellent photographer and lovingly gave away countless pictures to friends and family of special events in their lives that only she could "capture".

Visitation will be Monday May 11, 5-7 p.m. at Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Funeral services will be Tuesday May 12 ,10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia with the Reverend Daniel Kirkpatrick of Highland Valley Methodist Church of Little Rock officiating. Private burial services will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Arkadelphia.

The family wishes to thank all for the excellent care she received at Pleasant Hills Retirement Center and Chenal Heights Nursing and Rehab in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials made by made to the "Robert and Betty Bruner Instrumental Scholarship Fund" at Henderson State University, HSU Foundation, Box 7550, Arkadelphia, AR 71999 or Alzheimer's Arkansas, 1041 West Markham, Ste, Little Rock, AR 72212.