Betty Wilkes McArthur

Betty Wilkes McArthur, age 99, passed away Thursday morning, April 28, 2022 at the Azalea Commons Assisted Living in Batesville, MS. She was the widow of Lt. Col. William “Bill” McArthur.

The family of Ms. Betty will have a private graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Sardis, MS.

Betty was born on February 23, 1923 to the late Samuel Frank Wilkes and Audrey Crawford Wilkes in Dothan, AL. She graduated from Montevallo University in Montevallo, AL with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. Her degree was put to use, as she was a homemaker during her lifetime. Betty met the love of her life, Bill, in Dothan, AL. Since he was active in the Military, she followed him wherever he was stationed. After the military life, they moved to Marks, MS and had their first son, Don. Later on, they moved to Sardis, MS where they settled down and began a new journey in life. 

While in Sardis, Betty and Bill were Co-Owners of the Como Plaza, the Gulf Trail Lodge, and later built the GTL Motel and Convention Center off of I55. Betty was very active in the Sardis community. She was a lifelong faithful member of the Sardis United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, and she served as President of the Woman’s Club of Sardis. Betty was also very active in the American Heart Association.

Betty was known as “MiMi” to everyone, including her loving family she leaves behind. The surviving family members include her daughter, Betty Kay McArthur Jones of Alford, Fl; her son, Michael Greer McArthur of Sardis, MS; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Along with her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by one son, William Donald “Don” McArthur; one sister, Sara Agnes Letson; and one brother, Franklin Wilkes.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you please make a memorial contribution in Betty’s name to Sardis United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 383 Sardis, MS 38666, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.