ARKADELPHIA – Betty Jo Grant, 92, of Arkadelphia, died Sept. 7.
Grant was the wife of Daniel R. Grant, President Emeritus of Ouachita, and she served as the First Lady of Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) for 18 years. In honor of her service at Ouachita, Grant was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Purple & Gold Heart Award. Additionally, OBU honored the Grants with the Daniel and Betty JoGrant Center for International Education.
In 2002, Grant was named Arkansas Mother of the Year by The American Mothers, Inc., Arkansas Association.
The Grants developed the Consortium for Global Education (CGE), which consisted of more than 50 Baptist college and schools.
“Mrs. Grant loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and I couldn’t have asked for a more affirming and generous mother-in-law,” said Phil Hardin, Ouachita’s assistant to the president for administration emeritus. “She held the family close through faithful communication, wonderful holiday traditions and summer family reunions. She and Dr. Grant created wonderful memories for their extended family.
“She also relished her role as Ouachita’s First Lady,” he added. “For 18 years, heaven only knows how many Ouachita students, prospective students, alumni, trustees, ministers, missionaries, donors and other guests she welcomed and fed, all in the days before Ouachita had a catering service. She helped make the Ouachita family something very special.”
Grant was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister.
She is survived by her husband, two daughters, one son, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Grant will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at First Baptist Church, Arkadelphia.