Bettye Jane Harper Stone was born in Thayer, Mo., March 21,1933.

She passed away in hospice in Nashville, Tenn. Oct. 27, 2019.

She lived her early life in Newport, Ark., graduating with honors from Newport High School in 1951. She attended the University of Arkansas and the University of Mississippi, where she was a Kappa Kappa Gamma and a Rebelette.

She taught school in Tuckerman, Ark., and at St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs.

Bettye Jane was a certified drug and alcohol counselor, working at COPAC, Harbor House and Jackson Recovery Center in Jackson.

Bettye Jane was active in many social organizations. She was a charter member of both the Biloxi Junior Auxiliary and the Laurel Arts League. She was a member of Town and Country Garden Club in Newport and PEO, serving as officers in both. She was a member of two carnival organizations in Biloxi, Billikins, reigning as Queen in 1959, and Les Masquees.

Bettye Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben L. and Julia W. Harper, and brother, Reuben L. Harper Jr.

She is survived by four sons, Richard Stone Jr. (Patty), Reuben Harper Stone Sr. (June), William Stone Sr. and Buzz Stone (Cherry); and grandchildren, Julia Morgan Sandifer (Gregory), Richard Morgan Stone III, Reuben Harper Stone Jr., Dixon Stone, William Stone Jr., Isaac Stone, Sarah Stone and Jack Busby Stone, and a special friend, Delmar Atkins.

Memorials may be made to Vicksburg Catholic Schools, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183.
A memorial service will be held in Newport, Ark., at a date to be announced. www.jacksonsfh.com