OBITUARY: Betty Benson Pounds

Betty Benson Pounds, born May 14, 1923 in Forrest City, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 24, 2018.

Betty was crowned Miss Arkansas in 1940. When asked what her talent would be for the Miss America Pageant, she responded, “My looks, of course.” In the end, she performed a solo jitterbug wearing an altered man’s tuxedo. 

She was a true Southern lady and will be greatly missed. Betty married Russell Steven Pounds Sr. during World War II. They moved from Arkansas to Winter Garden after the war ended. 

She is predeceased by her husband, Russell; her son, Russell S. Pounds Jr.; and her mother Mary Hine Dial.

She is survived by her son, Rice Hine Pounds (Kathie); her daughter, Mary Dial Pounds; her grandson, Brian Benson Pounds (Amy); great-grandson, Parker David Pounds; two step-great-grandchildren, Trever Moore and Shelby Moore; and former daughter-in-law Monica Pounds. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at the Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden, Florida. After the reception, at the church a graveside service will be held at Winter Garden Cemetery. Flowers or Donations in Betty’s memory can be sent to the Church of the Messiah. Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden, baldwinfairchildwintergarden.com.