Stephen was the owner of Seark Forestry Mulching and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his kids and family. Stephen was best known as ''Beatty'' by all his friends. He had a smile that was very infectious and to know Beatty, was to love him. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Evelyn Beatty; and maternal grandfather, Joe Bill Denton.
Survivors include his wife, JoAnna Beatty of Monticello; his children, Audrey Beatty, Kendall Wilson, Madison Elliott and Will Butler; his sister, Beth Denton of Little Rock; and grandparents, Linda Howell of Gould and Robert Beaty of McGehee.
Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with Rev. David Jacks and Rev. Rick Miller officiating.
Condolences(12)
Dana Roark
Monticello, AR Saturday, June 6, 2026 Joanna , keeping you in my heart and prayers during such a difficult time for you and your kids . Stephen became my friend instantly, he was such help when I needed him and he was always so sweet to surprise me with my favorite drink .He loved you very much and as I heard you mention several times how good he was to you . Keep those good memories close to your heart and let the love y’all shared carrying you though the coming months .
Jamie Rawls
Monticello, AR Friday, June 5, 2026 I’m so sorry for your loss.I’m praying for your family.
Randie Lewis
Lonoke, AR Friday, June 5, 2026 My deepest condolences Kay and Stephen for your profound loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you lay your son to rest.Stacy Box Potter
Pine Bluff, AR Thursday, June 4, 2026 Kay, I’m so sorry for your loss. I wish I had the right words, just remember I am praying for you and your family. ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ™ðŸ»â¤ï¸Jackie Towles’s Sheppard
Hot Springs,, AR Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. So very sorrySusan Markham Hart
Davenport, IA Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Kay and Stephen,My deepest condolences for the loss of your precious son.
Lean in to the love of your friends and family, especially those who stick around when everyone else has seemingly forgotten.
Most of all, I pray that you allow the comfort that only God can bring to surround you during this, the most devastating time in your lives. Remember that He is always there, even when you feel so incredibly alone.
Dodie Griffin
Tillar, AR Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Kay I’m so deeply sorry for your loss I cannot imagine the pain you’re going through. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.Zachary N. Cooper
Crossett, AR Tuesday, June 2, 2026 My sincere condolences to your family during this difficult time.Suzanne Leonard
MONTICELLO, AR Saturday, May 30, 2026 I'm so sorry for the loss of Stephen. I met him years ago when my daughter had him come by the house. Here is this kid, grinning from ear to ear and just says, hi mom. My daughter introduced him as Beatty first, then saying his first name. But "just Beatty" stuck, so that what I called him, Beatty. Never ever was there a time I didn't get a big old Beatty grinn when seeing him over the last 15 plus years. Out and about at the Ball park, Walmart, Drew Central, or gas station. He was always laughing and had that smile, while cracking some comment you just had to laugh back at. I will miss our run ins, and I will miss that smile. Prayers for Audrey, he loved you more than you will ever know. That put the biggest smile on his face, talking about his sweet baby girl Audrey!! Prayers to his family. May God comfort you!!Suzanne Leonard
Monticello
Edgard Franklin
Pine Bluff, AR Saturday, May 30, 2026 Praying for the family u will be truly missedKimberly Crick
MONTICELLO, AR Saturday, May 30, 2026 Brother, I still don't have the words. It doesn't seem possible that you're gone.You were one of those rare people who truly never met a stranger. From Southeast Arkansas all through the Delta, there are so many people who have so many stories and memories with you. There wasn't a mud ride, mud hole, fishing trip, back road, or gathering that you didn't somehow make better just by showing up.
You were the guy everyone could count on. If somebody was stuck, out of gas, had a flat tire, needed help, or just needed a friend, you were there. No questions asked.
Thank you for being a friend to my family all these years. My son was only 7 years old when y'all met on a mud ride. He's 22 now, and in all those years he never forgot the memories, the laughs, and the good times he had with you. The fact that he was the one who called me to tell me what happened says everything about the impact you had on his life. Those friendships and memories stayed with him all these years because that's the kind of person you were.
What breaks my heart the most is thinking about your little girl. Everybody knew that girl was your world, and you were hers. From the very beginning, she was right there by your side. Riding next to you on that little console, fishing, looking at rocks, throwing rocks, riding back roads, and going wherever life took y'all together.
The bond the two of you shared was something special and something everyone could see. She wasn't just your daughter, she was your best buddy, your sidekick, and your shadow. If you were going somewhere, chances were she was right there with you. Some of the best memories of her childhood were made sitting beside her Daddy, doing the simple things that meant everything.
While our hearts are broken, one thing nobody can ever take away from her is the lifetime of memories you gave her. She has a thousand moments that belong only to the two of you. The laughter, the adventures, the fishing trips, the muddy rides, the talks, the hugs, and all the little things that made your relationship so special.
Your little girl will always carry a piece of you with her. Every time she sees a fishing pole, a muddy road, a riverbank, or a pile of rocks that catches her eye, she'll remember her Daddy. The love between the two of you was the kind of bond that never fades. You may no longer be beside her the way she wants, but you'll forever be a part of her heart, walking with her through every step she takes in life.
My prayers are with Ashley. My heart hurts for her because no mother wants to see her child hurting like this. Ashley now has the difficult job of helping your little girl navigate a loss that is far bigger than words can explain. I pray God gives her strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead, and that she knows she doesn't have to carry that burden alone.
And to your parents, my heart aches for you. There is no greater pain than losing a child. I pray God surrounds you with comfort, peace, strength, and the love of family and friends as you walk through the days ahead.
Brother, your tracks may end here, but the memories you left behind never will. They'll live on in every mud ride, every fishing trip, every story told among friends, and every life you touched along the way.
Thank you for being the kind of man people could count on. Thank you for the memories, the friendships, the laughter, and the loyalty you gave so freely.
You were loved by so many, and you'll be missed more than words can ever say.
Until we meet again, my friend
Carol Moore
Monticello, AR Friday, May 29, 2026 Our prayers are with the family