Betty McLarey

Betty Jean Wooten McLarey, 88, of Sherwood, Arkansas, passed away Jan. 20, 2020. Betty was born August 12, 1931 in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late Rufus William Wooten and Elsie Marie Winn Wooten.  She was a graduate of Blytheville High School. She attended Arkansas Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and Little Rock Jr. College, quitting abruptly to marry the love of her life after only three weeks of meeting on a blind date, a union which lasted 50 years until his sudden death in March of 2001.

She pursued a career in retail management buying, supervising for Regan’s of Arkansas and Texas, and serving as Arkansas District Manager for the six Arkansas stores until her retirement. After retiring from Regan’s, she really found her niche, co-teaching in the Pulaski County Schools, first in Special Education Department at Oakbrooke School, then in the Learning Lab at Sylvan Hills High School. Her kids were the love of her life, and she fought hard for their rights, never failing to speak up if she thought they weren’t getting their fair share. She retired from PCSSD in 2011 after 20 years.

She is survived by two adopted children, Michael Patrick McLarey (Joaquina) of Lonoke and Heather Kathleen McLarey Shaw of Conway; five great-grandchildren, Xavier McLarey, Veronica McLarey and Sophia McLarey , all of Lonoke and Zane Norton and Brandon Shaw of Conway; nephew, James Wooten (Judy) of Little Rock; niece, Beth McNeece of Senatobia, Mississippi; and a host of friends and co-workers.

Betty was an active member of Central Baptist Church where she taught a women’s Sunday School Class, worked in the Mother’s Day Out Program, and cashiered at Wednesday Night Supper.

A visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2020 at Central Baptist Church, 5200 Fairway Ave., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116, with Brother Wyman Richardson and Brother Dale Prater officiating.

The body will be cremated. Burial will be in Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in Sherwood next to her beloved husband.

Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, North Little Rock.