In Memory

ver the years, the White County Creative Writers group has been blessed by the presence of many gifted, passionate, and generous individuals. These members shared their stories, their insights, and their hearts with our group — contributing not only to our meetings, conferences, and contests, but also to the spirit of fellowship that defines who we are.

Though they are no longer with us, their words live on, and their memory remains a cherished part of our ongoing mission.

This page honors those who have journeyed ahead, whose voices helped shape our community, and whose legacy continues to inspire.

Betty Slaughter

Betty Slaughter was an active member of the White County Historical Society, a lifelong resident of Searcy, and a long-time member of White County Creative Writers. Besides writing, Betty was an artist, sketching and producing her own greeting cards picturing historical sites from the Searcy she grew up in.

Her love of Searcy and the surrounding area flavored her writing. She wrote about life during the Great Depression and World War II. She loved people-watching, and real-life events often snuck into her writing, sometimes thinly disguised.

Betty was a talented lady and a good friend. Betty passed away in December 2019 at the age of 91, and is greatly missed.

Patsy Pipkin

Patsy Pipkin was a long-time member of WCCW, serving as president and Conference Coordinator in the past. Her work appeared in the White County Citizen and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as well as numerous other newspapers and magazines.

Patsy was a prolific writer and won numerous writing awards. She was a two-time recipient of the Cloie Presley Heritage Award given by the White County Historical Society. In May 2008, for her book Hilton Emde, and Ordinary Man in Extraordinary Times, the life story of a World War II veteran, and again in 2012, for her book Images of America-Searcy.

Patsy passed away in January 2024 after a long illness. She will be missed by all who knew her.

 

Lois Clay

ois M. Adams Clay was born in Corvin, Kansas behind a gas station. She began school in Pratt, Kansas, and moved to Florida, then back to Anthony, Kansas and Liberal, Kansas, where she went to high school. Then she moved on to Texas, back to Kansas, and back to Texas. During that time she married and had four children. Finally, she ended up in Arkansas.

Lois writes children’s stories and westerns.

Lois Passed away in early 2011. She is missed.

David Roper

avid Roper was a full time writer for Truth for Today, a religious publication. He authored almost seventy books and booklets and his stories and articles appeared in Boy’s Life, Toastmaster’s Magazine, Highlights for Children, Christian Woman, and other publications. David was also a very entertaining magician, and wrote a number of books and articles on the craft.