Beth Calkins

Beth Calkins, 85, of Gentry, Arkansas passed away peacefully Monday, August 5, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loved ones.

Beth was born on March 3, 1939 in Topeka, Kansas. On October 28, 1967, she married the love of her life, David Calkins. They shared 56 memorable years together until his passing in October of 2023. When she was healthy in earlier years, she loved to sew and make quilts in her spare time. Most of her working life, she served as an LPN at the old Siloam Springs Hospital located near downtown. This career was just one of many testaments of her caring heart and hardworking demeanor. She continued her education and proudly obtained an Associate’s Degree in Business from NWACC. She was blessed with a wonderful life and loving family that will miss her dearly.

She is survived by her 2 sons, Rick Brown and wife, Linda of Mandeville, Louisiana and James Rankin of Gentry, Arkansas; 3 daughters, Donna Houston and husband, Mike of Lincoln City, Oregon, Rhonda Gray and husband, Allen of Grove, Oklahoma, and Valerie Harvey and husband, Michael of Springfield, Missouri; 1 brother, Leroy Swisher and wife, Patricia “Pat” of Loveland, Colorado; 9 grandchildren, Luane Catiller, Sydney Brown, Crystal Brown, Derrick Allen, Crystal Stewart, Mikala Womack, Blake Calkins, Kyle Ratliff, and Joshua Ratliff; 15 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Laura Rankin of Gentry, Arkansas; and many other loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, David Calkins; 2 sons, Bill Rankin and Tommy Calkins; 2 brothers; and granddaughter, Jennifer Lebouf.

The visitation for Beth will be held 5:00pm-7:00pm at Church of Christ in Gentry, Arkansas on Thursday, August 8, 2024. 

The funeral service will be at 2:00pm, Friday, August 9, 2024 with Minister Bruce Potter officiating. Burial will follow at Decatur Cemetery. 

The arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.