Betty Jean Hefner

January 12, 1934 - April 9, 2019

Mrs. Betty Jean Hefner passed from this earth to join her loved ones in Heaven on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, AR at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 28 days. Betty was born Friday, January 12, 1934 in Trumann to the late Ed and Elsie Ponder. She graduated from Trumann High School in 1952, then moved to Memphis, TN where she was employed by Southern Bell Telephone Company where she was a long distance operator. She received two letters of commendation from the Mayor of Memphis for her outstanding work as an operator. While in Memphis she met and married her only true love Donald Hefner. They enjoyed 31 years together before his death in 1995. They moved to San Antonio, Texas where she was employed by Rhodes Dept. Store as switchboard operator. From there they moved back to Paragould, AR where she was a switchboard operator at Darling Store Fixtures for several years. She was a member of Westview Baptist Church in Paragould. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, L.O. and Ollie Harlan and John and Zora Ponder; her husband, and her parents. She is survived by one brother, Harrel W. (Jean) Ponder; one sister, Sheila (Jon) Schisler; two nephews, Bart (Gei) Ponder and Bryce (Angie) Flanigan; one niece Tisha (Rocco) Rockholt; and a host of cousins and friends. The family will receive friends Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Westview Baptist Church, 701 W Morgan, Paragould, AR 72450. A celebration of her life will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Marc Reeves officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, AR. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.