Doris Elizabeth Jean Johnson (Betty) Farmer

Doris Elizabeth Jean Johnson (Betty) Farmer passed away Monday, September 3, 2012. She was born to Elmer and Ruth Johnson on December 15, 1923 in Gowrie, Iowa. After high school, she attended and graduated from Medical Business College in Des Moines, Iowa. She married Ray L. Farmer in 1947 and moved to Little Rock, Ark. She was a charter member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, where she served as a kindergarten teacher, was active in Women's activities, and served as Treasurer and Elder. When St Andrews closed, she joined Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, where she was active in women's programs and community action programs. She also served as a Deacon. She worked in Medical Records at both St. Vincent's Infirmary and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. From 1972 to 1987 she worked in the Public Health Nursing and Cancer Program for the Arkansas Department of Health; she retired in 1987. At that time, she was honored with an award for her outstanding service to the citizens of Arkansas. She was an avid seamstress, quilter, and baker, and the pies she made earned her many awards from the Arkansas State Fair. She was active in local garden clubs, St. Vincent's Infirmary VIVA program, Home Extension, and many other social activities. She was a 60-year survivor of bulbar polio. She is preceded in death by her husband Ray, and is survived by her children, Joann Farmer Donaldson of Atlanta, Ga., Jim (Vickie) Farmer of Alexander, Ark., and Bill (Karen) Farmer of Memphis, Tenn., eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a world of friends. A funeral service will be held at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow the service at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Arrangements under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.