Betty Jean Pauline Mlasko, age 76

Betty Jean Pauline Mlasko, age 76, of Jacksonville, Arkansas passed away Monday, May 30, 2022. She was born on September 8, 1945 in Toledo, Ohio to Rueben LaCourse and Elizabeth Kapen.

Throughout our lives there was music…always music.  In her prime Betty Jean had a beautiful voice.  Family gatherings were never without a circle of guitars and voices singing in harmony, or solo…some in tender renditions, others in silliness and laughter.  These were the happiest of times. To each of us, her love of music was instilled…printed on us, a lifelong gift passed down, and passed down again to her grandchildren. Thank you, Mom.

Betty Jean was a compassionate woman.  It was not uncommon at Holiday dinners for one or more strangers to be seated around our table…strangers to us, but folks Betty Jean knew were without family – often folks she barely knew – folks who otherwise would find themselves alone in a time meant to be surrounded by loving, familiar faces.  It pained her to know someone was alone.  She welcomed them and made them feel as if the seat they were in was always meant just for them.  Thank you, Mom, for teaching us what humble generosity looks like.

Many things were instilled in us…a strong work ethic, a strength of perseverance, resiliency, and knowing there’s only one way to do things…the right way!

Betty Jean is survived by her beloved older brother, Jerry A. LaCourse, (wife Margaret), and younger sister, C. Mikey Meade (husband Roger).   In heaven she will be joyously reunited with her mother and father, Rueben and Elizabeth, two brothers and a sister who passed before her…Charles Howard (Pat) LaCourse, Roy Daniel LaCourse, and MaryLou (Tootie) Anderson.

She is also survived by her six children…son, Richard Cogswell, daughter, Elizabeth (Lisa) Hammonds (husband, Mark), son, Jim Cogswell (Doreen), daughter, Jinny Hunter, daughter Babbette Cogswell (Michael), and daughter, Barbara Cogswell.   Her memory will live on in the precious time spent with grandchildren…Amanda, Jeremy, Mathew, Daniel, Nicholas, Benjamin, William, Joshua, Lexi, Christopher, Tyler, Madison, Jerry and Elizabeth…as will the memories with numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

On behalf of family and friends – a special message of gratitude:  To Barbie, Mikey, her husband Roger, and Tracy’s family…thank you for your generous and patient hearts over these last three years.  There’s no better place to be than in the loving care of family, when the difficulty of care often requires more than love.  But in between the difficult was the laughter. So much laughter.  It is our wish that when the guests have gone and the quiet sets in …when the hard grief finally releases and opens you up… may the memory of her smile and laughter come back in, and recue you when you least expect it.

Visitation will be held at A Natural State Funeral Service Thursday, June 2, 2022 form 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.