Betty Norwood Cates, 85, gained her angel wings on Sunday, November 20, 2022, in Little Rock, Arkansas.  In her final days she was surrounded by her beloved family as they reminisced over all the ways their lives had been abundantly blessed for having Betty as their mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.  They each held her hand and told her it was ok to go and be reunited with her loved ones who had gone before.  What a glorious reunion that must have been!  Betty was born on October 6, 1937, to Reuben and Dicie Norwood in Midway, Arkansas.  She grew up in Malvern, where she met and married the love of her life, Dennis Lee Cates, at First Baptist Church on November 23, 1956.  After Dennis completed his duties in the United States Air Force, the two relocated back to Malvern where they raised their greatest blessings, their children, Belinda, Eddie, and Ronnie Cates.  She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha International for 40 years, where she served as the Arkansas State President in 1975 and 1988, and after 39 years of employment, retired from Precision Industries, Inc. in 2002.  Upon her retirement, Betty became very involved in her son's BBQ festivals, Smoke on the Water, where she was lovingly known as the "Queen of Que".  It was during this time that she met some of the most amazing people, BBQ judges, BBQ cook teams, and others whom she viewed as family.  She was in charge of the judges and getting cook teams registered.  This brought her such purpose and joy.  On behalf of her family, thank you to all of those who were a part of her BBQ family.  She treasured each and every one of you.  Betty held many titles over the years, but her most precious title was that of being called "MomMom".  She adored all of her grandchildren, who were scattered between Arkansas and Texas, but that did not stop her from making numerous trips to attend birthday parties, extra curricular activities, graduations, and weddings.  She had a special and unique connection with each of her seven grandchildren, but nothing compared to when her great-grandchildren came into this world.  She loved nothing more than watching her grandchildren become parents, and was blessed to make countless memories with all of her great-grandchildren.  Through her final years, Betty was blessed to be cared for by her youngest granddaughter, Kirbi Cates.  Whether it was going to doctor appointments, hospital visits, or caring for her at home, Kirbi made each and every day better for her.  Betty looked forward to all of those special moments she shared with her granddaughter, a true angel on Earth.  They laughed together, and cried together, but most of all, they made each moment they had together memorable. Kirbi, the only grandchild in Arkansas, was a pillar of strength for her grandmother, and a blessing to the family that was unable to be here to care for Betty.  She is survived by her son, Ronnie Cates of White Hall, Arkansas; son-in-law, Tim Ratcliff of Carthage, Texas; daughter-in-law, Kim Cates of Longview, Texas; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Burns of Kilgore, Texas, Lauren McSwain and husband, Brad, of Magnolia, Texas, Matthew, Brooke, and Corey Cates, all of Longview; Christopher Ratcliff and wife, Lisa of Hemphill, Texas; and Kirbi Cates of Alexander, Arkansas, as well as numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.  Betty was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Dennis Cates; her daughter, Belinda Cates Ratcliff; her son, Eddie Cates; and brothers, R. E. Norwood, Jr., and Larry E. Norwood.

A visitation will be held at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Saturday, November 26, from 12:00 noon till 2:00 p.m., at which time the service will begin, with Brother Billy Bartlett officiating.  A private family committal service will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church, 531 South Main Street, Malvern, Arkansas 72104.