Betsy Ross Heath Hagan

Betsy Ross Heath Hagan was born on the Fourth of July 1936, she went home to be with her Heavenly Father, September 25, 2017. She is preceded in death by her parents, E.O. Heath and Lurline Moody Heath, and her granddaughter, Meryn Grace McCall. She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 63 years, Calvin E. Hagan. She is also survived by her brother, Bill Heath of Los Angeles California; her daughter, Debbie Hagan; son, Merlin "Bubba" (Rita) Hagan; daughter, Shelley (Chris) Newkirk all of Little Rock; grandchildren, Joanna (Adam) McCall, Heath (Brittany) Hagan, Natalie (Zach) Welchman, Drake (Hannah) Newkirk, Dakota Newkirk, and Dillan (Emily) Newkirk; great-grandchildren, Carter Hagan, Lucas McCall, Walker McCall, Laney Kate Hagan, Channing Hagan, Cayden Hagan and Emery McCall. Her mother had originally picked out the name Peggy Marilyn for Betsy, but when she was born on the Fourth of July the doctor declared her a firecracker and said should be named Betsy Ross. It can be said that she truly was a firecracker. Betsy was actively involved in any cause she adopted. In the mid-seventies, she became one of the founding members of Family, Life, America and God (F.L.A.G.), a group that lobbied Congress for faith based issues both here in Arkansas, as well as, Washington. After meeting activist Phylis Schlafly, F.L.A.G. became affiliated with her group and became known as Eagle Forum and for over thirty-five years she was an active lobbyist for the group. Betsy was also active in the Arkansas Republican Party. She vigorously campaigned for Republican candidates and recruited others to run for office on the Republican ticket. During President George W. Bush's administration, she was invited to and attended the Presidential prayer breakfast. Betsy was active as a Sunday school teacher and Bible Study Teacher all of her adult life at Little Rock's First Baptist Church and later at Immanuel Baptist Church. In the mid 1990's she was named Arkansas Baptist Woman of the Year by Williams Baptist College. She was a devoted grandmother to all six of her grandchildren. She and Calvin attended every game possible that her grandsons played at Arkansas Baptist High School. She was well known for her cheering on the sidelines. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. There will be a graveside service 9 a.m., Thursday, September 28th at Pinecrest Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72211. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in memory of Betsy Hagan to: Baptist Preparatory School, 62 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72212; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40206; or Immanuel Baptist Church. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.