Betty Jean Darter

Betty Jean Darter, 86, of Van Buren passed away peacefully on Sunday August 31, 2025. She was born on August 3, 1939 in Mulberry, AR to the late Dal and Bertha (Cunningham) Shepherd. She was a long time school bus driver for the city of Fort Smith and a member of Faith Tabernacle Church in Van Buren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Paul Darter; seven sisters, Lucile Hays, Ode Nelson, Shirley Joy, Dolene Kimes, Norma Greenwood, Earnestine Caudles and Ina King; two brothers, Billy and Burl Shepherd.

She is survived by her daughters, Sabrina Burcham and husband Carl, Paula Weese and husband Lester all of Van Buren; four grandchildren, Vanessa Franklin, Dewayne Dyer, Eric Waterbury and wife Amanda, James Stringer; great-grandchildren, Landi, Summer, Candace, Carson, Chanler, Kayla, Lexi, Timothy, Alford and Brandi; great great-grandchildren, Paisley, Cartana, Riley, Isaac and Milo; two step grandchildren, Shannon Weese and Erin Likens.

Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday September 3, 2025 at Ocker Memorial Chapel with burial to follow at New Cemetery in Mulberry, AR under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home Van Buren.

Pallbearers will be Eric Waterbury, Dewayne Dyer, Timothy Dyer, Carter Davis, Hayden Salisbury and Shannon Weese.