Widow of BMA Pastor Dies

Betty Geneace Rawlins Kingston, 83 of Alexander, passed away June 10. She was married to the late Duane Kingston for 46 years until his death in 2007. He pastored several churches in Arkansas and Tennessee, including Lynch View Baptist Church and Berean Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Twentieth Street Baptist Church in Batesville, Commerce Road Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Fairview Baptist Church in Violet Hill and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Carlisle. At every church Duane pastored, Betty was honored to be the pianist for services.

Betty graduated from Prescott High School in 1958 and was named FFA Sweetheart her senior year. All throughout her childhood and teenage years, she excelled at and loved playing piano for church and various school presentations.

She was devoted to keeping the home steady and mothering three boys. She was often employed outside the home as well with her longest employment being with Twin City/Centennial Bank, and at the time of her retirement, she had been working in the loan department for several years.

Survivors include: a daughter-in-law, Vickie Kingston; a son, Barry (Tammy) Kingston; a sister, Bobbie Rawlins; a sister-in-law, Dianna Campbell; nine grandchildren, including BMA of Missouri State Missions Director Ben Kingston, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Lonedell, Mo. and Brian Kingston, pastor of Ozark Heights Baptist Church in Potosi, Mo.; and five great-grandchildren including Benjamin Kingston, pastor of Westview Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 16, at Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock, with interment at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Baptist College Music Department, 1501 College Avenue, Conway, Ark. 72034.