Claudean Kimbrell Bethell, 82, died Sunday. One of ten children in the family of Clifton and Elizabeth Kimbrell, she was born in Caraway, Arkansas. Soon after high school graduation in 1953, Claudean stepped into the working world. Some of the different jobs she worked through the years included serving as a sales clerk in Van Atkins Department Store, and as a bookkeeper for the Ford and Chevrolet Dealerships.

On August 8, 1956 she became the young bride of George Lewis Bethell and they shared many years of marriage until his death in 2013.Their home was blessed with four children and through the years the addition of nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren with one on the way.

For forty years, Claudean remained steadfast alongside her husband as he served with the Brinkley Police Department. She was well known in the community and very active in the Rotary, Ladies American Legion Auxiliary, and Lions Club. For over twenty-five years Claudean was instrumental in sponsoring innumerable girls in attending Arkansas Girls State. For 82 years she remained a faithful member of the Church Of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and four siblings,  Jim Kimbrell, Author Kimbrell, Barbara Jackson and Ann Anderson.

Claudean is survived by
Son
George Bethell, Jr ., his wife Julie of Mt. View and their four children; Crystal (Nick) Ramsey, Ronnie Bethell (Racheal), Jett Bethell and Allison Bethell all of Little Rock.

Daughters
Shirley Coburn and husband, Harold of Brinkley and her two children; Kris Davis of Memphis and Luke Bethell (Maggie) of Wynne.

Sandy Bethell of Brinkley and her daughter, Jennifer Letourneau (Thomas) of Searcy.

Janie Cochrane of Clarksville, Tennessee and her two children; Robert Griswold (Janie) of Clarksville, Tennesse and Zachary Burton of Barton, Tennessee.

Great grandchildren ... eleven and one on the way

Brothers
Burl Kimbrell and wife Mark of Humphrey and Junior Kimbrell of Stuttgart.

Sisters
Betty Favor of Pine Bluff, Karen Wilson (Benny Ray) of Humonoke and Annette Johnson (Buddy) of Stuttgart.

Graveside services only

2:00 PM Wednesday January 13

Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley