Betty Louise Slaughter Jones' Obituary
Betty Louise Slaughter Jones, 80, of Fayetteville, AR, died Feb. 5, 2026 at Circle of Life Hospice House in Springdale, AR. From her first breath to her last, Betty’s life was defined by the grace of God.
Betty was born September 12, 1945, in Hooks, TX, the daughter of James A. and Lois C. (Hopkins) Slaughter. Betty was proud of her Native American heritage (Choctaw and Pawnee) through her dad and her Mayflower Pilgrim heritage through her mom. From the beginning, Betty was a fighter. At birth, she was very small, weighing only a few pounds, and the doctor did not expect her to live. Her beloved grandmother, Rosa Bell Autrey Hopkins, cared tenderly for her with coffee mixed with hot water in a dropper and hot bricks surrounding her body. A week later, a stunned doctor pronounced her survival a miracle.
The miracles did not cease after Betty survived infancy. At age 10, she became one of millions of American children diagnosed with polio. After months in leg braces, Betty was miraculously healed when her grandfather prayed for her and instructed her to pray during an Oral Roberts crusade on television. With a childlike faith that would characterize the rest of her life, Betty insisted her braces be immediately removed, tested her legs, then went and ran around the house several times. She came in slamming the door and insisting she be taken to church and baptized that very night. Later that week, she would decide to attempt to baptize her cat so it could be in heaven with her.
Betty never lost that childlike faith despite the trauma of a mentally ill mother, alcoholic father, and broken family. Despite her intellectual disability, she determined to live a full life. She poured her pain into love for those around her, caring tenderly for her grandparents as they declined. As a young adult she experienced another miracle, surviving Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick Fever and 106 degree fever. Partly due to the care of the staff at Baylor Medical Center, Betty decided to become a nurse’s aide.
Betty served in Brooks Hospital in Atlanta, TX, Pine Lodge Nursing Home in Queen City, TX, and Tanglewood Nursing Home in Texarkana, faithfully tending her patients and learning the healing profession. Later in life, she would apply those skills as a home caregiver for nearly 25 years. In between she worked at Red River Army Depot for 5 years and cared for her family as a homemaker for several years.
Betty met the love of her life on a blind date on June 3, 1967, set up by her favorite cousin and “little brother” Bill Morris. Bill worked with Buron at Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant and heard he wanted to date “an old fashioned girl”. He knew just the one, and set up a double date to a church revival service the weekend before leaving for Vietnam. Buron drove Betty home, asked to see her again, and on Sept. 1, 1967, asked her to be his wife. Betty agreed on two conditions: That he ask for her mother’s permission, and, famously, that “I get to be the boss.” Her mom said yes, they married on Nov. 18, 1967, and for 58 years, she held that position proudly. They had two children, Rosa Bell and Jonathan Lee, both named at least in part after her beloved grandparents.
Betty and Buron faced many challenges in their life together - miscarriage, poverty, health struggles, and ultimately in 2016 every parents’ worst nightmare, the death of their son. Through it all, they leaned on the Lord and each other. Betty was never happier than when she and Buron were “going and doing something”, especially with family. What they loved to do most was attend church.
While Betty was part of many church and home communities in her life, she was happy to make Christ Community Church in Fayetteville her final church home and Wedington Place Senior Apartments her final earthly dwelling place. She delighted in adopting people’s babies and dogs, visiting people or having visitors, and especially in providing food for people. She sent Buron or Rosa with countless meals to neighbors and friends over the years, and delighted in delivery plates of food at Wedington Place. Even as dementia ravaged her mind, her heart was drawn to serve and make sure those caring for her were taking care of themselves, always noticing when someone looked tired or hurting.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Lois Cox and James Slaughter; her stepfather James Cox; her brothers William “Butch” Slaughter and Jerry Slaughter; her former son-in-law Bob Edwards; and her son Jonathan Jones. Betty is survived by her husband of 58 years, Carnis Buron Jones Jr.; her daughter Rosa and husband Michael Floyd, all of Fayetteville; her granddaughter Tiffany Edwards; her cousin and “little brother” Bill Morris (Kay); extended family members David Edwards and Jeanne Edwards Douthit; numerous people who called her mom because she took them in when they had needs as young people, and far more other cousins, friends, and loved ones to count. The family wishes to extend deep appreciation to primary caregiver Teresa Meyer and the many other AR Choices caregivers who have returned the tender care to Betty that she gave to others earlier in life, as well as Circle of Life Hospice for helping ease the transition in these last difficult weeks.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Christ Community Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas, with the assistance of Moore’s Chapel, Dave Abney and Andrew Brill officiating. Following the service, a memorial reception will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the church. You may watch the service online by following the link
https://www.youtube.com/@cccfay/streams
Flowers can be delivered to Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty's name to the Fayetteville animal shelter, to honor her love for dogs. The address and phone number for the shelter are: 1640 S. Armstrong Ave., Fayetteville, AR, (479) 444-3456.
Like her Lord, Betty knew sorrow and was well-acquainted with grief. And yet also like Him, she looked outward and was defined by compassion, love, mercy, and grace toward others. If you loved her, she would want you to do two things; know Jesus and love others.
A Meditation Before Kaddish (From Mishkan T’Filah)
When I die give what’s left of me away
to children and old men that wait to die.
And if you need to cry,
cry for your brother walking the street beside you.
And when you need me, put your arms around anyone
and give them what you need to give me.
I want to leave you something,
something better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved,
and if you cannot give me away,
at least let me live in your eyes and not your mind.
You can love me best by letting hands touch hands,
and by letting go of children that need to be free.
Love doesn’t die, people do.
So, when all that’s left of me is love,
give me away.
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?