Bettye Lou Kight Speer (83) left to join her heavenly family on April 25, 2024. Bettye was born to Rena L. Catlett Kight and Monroe Jackson Kight on April 16, 1941 in Manning, Arkansas.

She graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1959 and began working at Paramount Theater in Hot Springs. Shortly after, she met a “nice man from Mt. Pine who smacked his gum too much.” Despite his gum smacking, Bettye married Jeffie Glenn Speer and spent 63 years with him building a life full of laughs, music, family, and kindness. Bettye worked at the Holiday Inn and Valley Glass in Hot Springs before moving to Mt. Ida. During her 21 years in Mt. Ida, Bettye co-owned the Sunshine Shop and was a founding member of Joplin United Methodist Church. Upon returning to Hot Springs, Bettye was the manager of Spa Auto Glass for another 20 years before retiring to Manning, Arkansas.

Bettye was a doting wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She was an amazing cook and hostess, and when it was needed, an exacting taskmaster who would get the job done, often followed by a cup of coffee and “just a taste” of dessert. She was a current member of her favorite “big white church in the woods,” Manchester United Methodist Church. Bettye was known by many names—Pug, Honey, Mama, Grandy, Aunt Pitter-Pat, and “The Boss.” Regardless of the name she was called, Bettye touched the lives of her family and friends with her constant singing, her beautiful flowers, her many, MANY dishes, and above all her loving, generous spirit.

Bettye is preceded in death by her parents, Rena and Monroe Kight; her siblings and their spouses, Bill and Betty Kight, Leonard and Winnie Kight, James Edward “J.E.” and Lily Kight, Clarence “Buddy” and Laverne Kight, Clarice “Sissy” and J.D. Green, Evelyn Walker Vaughn, and Jane and Gary Brooks; and her nephews Billy, Phillip, Michael, Dale, Wayne, Johnny, Leon, Bud, and Jimmy-Gale. She is survived by her husband, Jeffie Speer; her daughter, Cheryl Smith; her son-in-law, Calvin Smith; her granddaughter, Darcy Smith; and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

Services will be held at Manchester United Methodist Church under the direction of Brother Carroll Jackson on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11am, to be followed by a short internment ceremony at Delamar Cemetery and a celebration of her life at her home.

Manchester UMC Address: 898 Manchester Rd, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

Delamar Cemetery Address: 6460 Highway 8 West, Sparkman, AR 71763

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to Manchester United Methodist Church: Manchester UMC, P.O. Box 173, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

Arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-Arkadelphia/Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923, http://www.smithfamilycares.com.