Betty Jo Clement Hartwick, beloved matriarch and cherished member of the community, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024, at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock, Arkansas, surrounded by family. She was 94 years old.

Betty was born on December 18, 1929, in Hermitage, Arkansas, to the late Joseph Henry and Jessie May Smith Clement. She grew up in a close-knit family, which instilled in her the values of faith, love, and compassion.

A faithful member of Lorance Drive Church of Christ in East End, Betty's devotion to her faith was evident in every aspect of her life. She was known not only for her unwavering spiritual strength but also for her culinary talents, particularly her legendary chocolate pie and banana pudding, which brought joy to countless gatherings and celebrations.

After graduating from Pine Bluff High School, Betty worked as a phone operator until she met her beloved husband, Ulan 'Shorty' Hartwick. Together, they embarked on a journey filled with love, laughter, travel, and shared dreams. Betty dedicated many years to creating a warm and loving home for her family, raising three wonderful daughters with boundless love and care.

Following their return to Arkansas from Detroit, Betty and Shorty purchased the Fourche Dam Dairy Bar, where they served the community for a decade. They cherished the opportunity to watch the area's children grow and thrive, leaving a lasting impact on all those they encountered.

As her daughters grew and started families of their own, Betty embraced new challenges with her trademark courage and determination. She pursued her passion for helping others, graduating from nursing school and serving as a nursing supervisor at UAMS Family and Community Medicine Clinic. Her compassionate nature and dedication to healing touched the lives of countless patients and colleagues.

Betty loved to travel, fish, and bake. But, above all...she loved her family. Dinners and Christmas Eves and just stopping by to sit on the back porch and shoot the breeze with her were treasures that her family will never forget.

Lastly, Betty was a card player until the end. Her competitive spirit will live on as she is known as the "Skip-Bo Queen" amongst the family. She passed this love of cards on through her children, grandchildren, and to this day...her great granchildren. If you set foot in Betty's house, she would feed you, make sure you were comfortable, and then sit down across the table from you and beat you mercilessly at cards. And making you laugh all the while.

And then when you lost she'd tell you "I still love you."

Betty Jo Clement Hartwick was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ulan S. Hartwick. Also her brother, Ralph Clement; sister, Jane Hall; and granddaughter, Keeshan Jones Gingrich.

Survivors include her three daughters, Sue Pyland of Little Rock, Sissy Hartwick Pederson of Fayetteville, Brenda Riley (Mark) of East End; grandchildren Dr. Clay Riley (Lana) of Little Rock, Chad Riley of East End, Kiley Pederson Miller (Michael), and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan with Minister David Sweet officiating with words from Mark Riley and Susan Long. Burial will follow in Clement Cemetery near Grapevine (Grant County). Visitation will be Monday, 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Truth for Today World Mission School, 2209 Benton Street, Searcy, Arkansas 72143. (501)268-7588