Betty Jo Scroggins Blair

Betty Jo Scroggins Blair, age 91, of Springfield, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025, surrounded by family and faith. She was born on October 1, 1934, in a wood-frame house on Mallett Town Road to Lum and Beattie Scroggins (Christopher Columbus Scroggins and Beatrice Mallett). Betty grew up on the family farm alongside her three brothers: Farrell (late), Jerry, and Jimmie Scroggins. Betty attended Springfield School, where she made many lifelong friends, including her best friend, Carolyn Hart. A bright student, she went on to attend Arkansas State Teacher’s College (now the University of Central Arkansas). Though financial challenges prevented her from graduating, Betty forged a new path—moving to Little Rock to work as a secretary at the State Capitol. It was there, through her church, that she met Raymond Blair, a young man recently returned from the Korean War and attending the University of Arkansas. Their courtship blossomed into a lifelong love, and they married soon after. Together, Betty and Raymond raised three children—Jimmy, David, and Susan Blair—in Little Rock. While Raymond worked at Timex, Betty maintained a warm, orderly home and later took a position as an administrative assistant at Southwestern Bell. She learned to drive in order to help support her family and especially to see her eldest son through college. In 1989, Betty and Raymond returned to her family's land in Springfield, where they built a home and settled back into the community. After Raymond’s passing, Betty continued to live on the Scroggins land, where she enjoyed two more decades of faith, family, and friendship. Betty was deeply devoted to her church. She served as pianist, baked pies, cakes, and breads for church socials, and brought joy to many through her music. She also worked as an assistant postmaster in Jerusalem, Arkansas, and filled her home and community with the sound of gospel music—especially her beloved Ivan Parker. She often played piano alongside her dear friend, singer Barbara Stanley. Among her many talents, Betty was most famous for her homemade fudge, a treat eagerly awaited by family, friends, and neighbors alike. Betty’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her children, Jimmy Blair (California) and Susan Blair (Morrilton), as well as her brothers Jerry Scroggins (Morrilton) and Jimmie Scroggins (Springfield). She leaves behind three grandchildren, Jennifer McCarthy (Florida) and Chelsea Slechta (Morrilton), along with five great-grandchildren who will carry on her love and legacy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Christopher Columbus “Lum” Scroggins and Beatrice Mallett Scroggins; her husband, Raymond Blair; her brother, Farrell Scroggins; her son, David Blair; and her granddaughter, Aubrey Slechta. Betty will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her love of gospel music, her gift of hospitality, and the sweet tradition of her homemade fudge that touched generations of family and friends. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2025, at Harris Chapel with Pastor Mike Jones officiating, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Mallettown Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Devers, Drake Freeman, Kam Harper, Colton Myatt, La’Trone Freeman, Billy Alvey, and Landen McCarthy. Honorary Pallbearer will be Curtis Henderson.

Betty Jo Scroggins Blair

October 1, 1934 - October 4, 2025