Betty Wortham

Betty Jean Moore Wortham, passed away on Christmas Day 2009. She was born in Walkerville, Columbia County, Arkansas, October 23, 1929 to Ida Cleolis Walker Moore and Charles W. Moore. She had three brothers and two sisters.
After attending elementary school in Walkerville, she graduated from Magnolia Arkansas High School. She attended Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia and then Arkansas Baptist School of Nursing in Little Rock. She received her Registered Nurse Degree in 1951 and began her career in nursing at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock.
Betty married Thomas H. Wortham, M.D., June 20, 1953. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Tom began his residency. She worked at St. Louis City Hospital and then Kirkwood Missouri Community Hospital where she specialized in newborns and became the supervisor of the nursery there.
Betty and Tom returned to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Little Rock where she became the Supervisor of the Newborn and Premature nurseries. One of her greatest thrills was moving "her" babies from the old University Hospital to the new campus on West Markham Street. She continued her supervisor position until she and Tom moved to Jacksonville, Arkansas where Tom established his medical practice. Betty then had three children; Thomas Alsobrook, Clay Alan and Jan Ellen and spent the next forty years in Jacksonville with her family.
When her children entered school, Betty established a day care center in her church at the First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville serving poor and needy children. After this center was successful she felt the need to return to nursing. She returned to the UAMS at Arkansas Children's Hospital where working with Dr. Betty Lowe and Dr. Pat Casey where a clinic for "Failure To Thrive" children was developed. She worked for over 10 years in this field and helped develop treatment plans, tests and progress studies for these children. This clinic became a part of the Growth and Development facility of Children's Hospital. Betty's work at Children's Hospital for over ten years was her most stimulating professional years. She then returned to work in her church. She served as a teacher, Deacon, and on most of the church committees. When Tom retired they moved to Little Rock and she continued her Church work at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Betty's parents Ida and Charles and her brother Walker Moore are deceased. Her son Thomas was killed by a hit and run driver in 2001.
Betty is survived by Tom, her husband of 56 years, son Clay Alan, daughter Jan Ellen, and grandchildren, Thomas Seth Wortham, Corissa Withrow Wortham, Seth Christopher Wortham. Her surviving siblings are Jim and John Moore, Shirley Hamilton and Sue Hudson. She is also survived by a host of family and friends.
Betty was considered an "Angel" by her family, professional associates, and friends. Her loving attitude, and tireless energy inspired all who knew her. Betty now joins her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom she has followed and worshiped all her life.
There will be a visitation Monday, December 28, 2009 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 4501 Rahling Road in Little Rock. A memorial service will be at the same church at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 29, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Trinity Presbyterian Church or the favorite charity of the donor.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 880l Knoedl Ct (NW corner of I-630 and Barrow Rd.) Little Rock, AR 72205 (501)224-2200. Mrs. Wortham's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com