Betty Joyce McDonald, 75, of Hensley, formerly of Rector, died Saturday, July 14, 2007, at UAMS in Little Rock.

The daughter of the late Gilbert and Opal Garrett, she was born March 23, 1932, at Liberty Hill. She was a Methodist.

She attended licensed practical nursing school in Jonesboro and later studied at Arkansas State University to become a registered nurse, choosing to serve the Lord in the medical field. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health care administration and, after being employed at Kennett, Mo., for 15 years, worked at St. Vincent Medical Center in Little Rock. She retired in 1993 as operating room supervisor due to poor health.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Larry Shawn McDonald; two brothers, Kenneth Ray Garrett and J.W. Garrett, and a sister, Virginia Faye Garrett.

Survivors include her husband, Lonnie Cecil McDonald of Hensley; two sons, Lonnie Randall McDonald of Mabelvale and David Thomas McDonald of Jonesboro; two daughters, Diana Joyce Hale of St. Ann, Mo., and Shelia Carol Ritter of Rector; a brother, Jerry Paul Garrett of Barnhart, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Ernest Leon "Buddy" McDonald; sisters-in-law, Edna Mills and Barbara Garrett; grandchildren, Demian Ritter of Rector, Dawn Johanson of Kennett, Mo., Pamela Hale of St. Louis, Mo., and Patricia Hale of Florissant, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Chase Johanson of Kennett, Jenna Ritter and Natalie Ritter of Paragould, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Corene Dowdy.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 18) at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel in Rector with Bro. Futrell Butler officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Demian Ritter, Tom Hale, Chase Johanson, Greg Garrett, Chris Farris and Christopher Garrett.

Mitchell Funeral Home of Rector is in charge of arrangements.

Those who wish may sign the online register at www.mitchellfuneralhomes.com.