Betty Jo Schrader

Our Mom, mom in law and Nana; Betty Jo Schrader, left her mortal coil on 1 July 2017. She has entered that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides. Mom was born 3 July, 1933 in Pine Bluff, AR to James R. Lee and Dezza Howard Lee. She moved to Hot Springs when she was eight to the Dam Camp for Arkansas Power and Light employees, now Entergy Park. She attended Lakeside Schools and graduated in 1950. Mom then attended Henderson State Teachers College (HSU) where she met our Dad, Jack S. Schrader. They were married in 1953 and stayed such until Dad died in 1979. Mom received her BSE from Little Rock University (1967, UALR) and her MSE in Library Science from State College of Arkansas (1974, UCA). She had accumulated 90 + graduate hours past her Master’s. Mom started teaching in Horatio in 1955, worked for Blass, A P & L, and the Pulaski County Special School District from which she retired in 1994. Mom was a librarian who greatly loved helping children learn to love books of all sorts. Mom was quite active in the progression of teachers’ rights and volunteered with the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers, Arkansas Education Association and the National Education Association. She served several terms on the AEA Board of Directors as an active and retired member. She attended many national conventions with our father, and with Stan, when he was active as a student. Mom was also the President of PACT during the tumultuous periods of strike. Mom’s greatest joy was working with the Masonic girls’ youth program, the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was a member of Hot Springs Assembly 7 as a youth, Adoniram 99, where Robin attended and earned Grand Worthy Advisor for the state, and Hot Springs 77 as an adult. Mom was awarded the Grand Cross of Color, and was honored with being a Grand Deputy and State Mother Advisor for IORG. Mom leaves behind to cherish her memory her son, Stan Schrader (Leslie), daughter, Robin Pipkins (Chris); grandson Dillon Hubbard, who was the light of her life; as well as a host of great friends and Masonic Brothers and Sisters. A joyous service honoring her memory will be held at Gross Funeral Home, Hot Springs on Saturday, 8 July, at 9:00 AM. To honor her memory, please wear tie-dyes, bright colors (at least 120 dB), or your Sparkly attire. NO BLACK. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Arkansas Grand Assembly Scholarship Fund c/o Suzanne Trischmann Hot Springs 77, 300 West Grand, Hot Springs, AR 71901