Obituaries

Carolyn Arnold Batson

Photo of Carolyn Arnold Batson
Carolyn Arnold Batson, age 83, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, April 1, 2017. She was born in Camden on April 1, 1934 to Robert Myron Arnold and Glena Deaton Arnold. She was married to R.H. Dick Batson, the love of her life. Carolyn was a 1952 graduate of Arkadelphia High School and held a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas. Carolyn was an RN for the VA hospital in Shreveport, La.; Clark County Memorial Hospital; and Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. She was the Director of Nursing at both Baptist Arkadelphia and Hot Spring County Memorial Hospital. She served on the National Board and traveled to San Francisco to write exam questions for the national nurses exam (NCLEX). She and friend and colleague Charlotte Hunter pioneered the Kindergarten Roundup program in Arkadelphia. Carolyn was a school nurse at Henderson State University before joining the original nursing faculty at HSU. She retired as Assistant Professor of Nursing in 1996 after thirty years. Carolyn continued her service after retirement by providing free blood pressure checkups each week at the former Elk Horn Bank. Carolyn is survived by her three sons: Retired State Police Corporal Mark (Kathy) Batson of Arkadelphia, Highway Police Captain Ross (Lisa) Batson of Bryant, and Clark County Prosecutor Blake (Jill) Batson of Arkadelphia. She also leaves to cherish her memory five grandchildren: Jerod (Kyla), Christopher(Leanne), Tyler, Cabb, and Blaise Batson; her brother Bob (Laurie) Arnold; five great grandchildren: Gunner, Shooter, Archer, Katie Jo and Cooper Batson; and many special nieces and nephews. The family would like to give a special thank you to her many special friends and the wonderful staff at Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation and to Dr. Kristen Brandon for their excellent care. Visitation will be on Monday April 3, 2017 at 11 a.m. in the Ruggles Wilcox Chapel in Arkadelphia with services following at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia. Memorials may be made to the Carolyn Arnold Batson nursing scholarship to be established in her memory at Henderson State University. Online register is available at www.ruggleswilcox.com.

Published April 2, 2017

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