Betty "B.J." Schrader

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Betty "B.J." Schrader, 81, of Manila, passed from this life Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, and entered into eternal rest with her Heavenly Father. Born Jan. 29, 1929, in Leachville she was the daughter of the late Honorable E.C. "Gene" Fleeman, former State Representative and Speaker of the House, and Lora Mae Milligan Fleeman. A 1947 graduate of Blytheville High School she attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. B.J. lived most of her life in Manila and was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church. She was the former president of the Merchants and Planters Bank in Manila. B.J.'s greatest joy was her family. She loved music and dancing as well as painting and needlepoint. She was an accomplished seamstress, designer and gardener. She helped create the Manila Girl Scouts and worked diligently as a volunteer with the Red Cross swim program, UNICEF, the March of Dimes and the PTA.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her infant twin brother, Billy Gene Fleeman, and her sister, Peggy Cheadle.

B.J. is survived by her husband of 59 years, Max Schrader of Manila; four daughters and sons-in-law;

Connie and Jimmy Adams of Manila, Cindy and Russell Dougherty of Jonesboro, Cortnee and Jim Church of Charleston, S.C., and Carla and Kenny Moore of Jonesboro; six grandchildren, Gene Adams, Jeremy Adams, Allison Church, Elizabeth Church, Stephen Moore and Taylor Moore; and four great-grandchildren; Anna Grace, Mattie Claire, Pierce, and Beckett Adams.

Funeral service were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Manila First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jerry Pentecost officiating. Burial was the in Manila Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila. Grandchildren served as pallbearers.

The family received friends Saturday evening from 6-8 at the funeral home. Guest register is www.HowardFuneralService.com.