Oneal and Betsy Tankersley met while at school at Harding University and they married shortly after graduation in May 1980.  They have four grown children, all married, and seven grandchildren who bring them much joy. 

After two years of marriage, Oneal and Betsy moved to Kenya, East Africa as missionaries together with a team of Harding graduates, serving there for 20 years. With children reaching college age, the Tankersleys relocated to Searcy, but have continued mission projects to the present time. These projects are primarily the production of video dramas in local languages with evangelistic, church and youth instruction topics. 

Oneal and Betsy feel privileged to also be missionary assets for Harding. Oneal directs the HUT missions training village program and has various other teaching responsibilities. Betsy is a homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother, works as chapel staff, provides child care, and is a partner in all the missions projects.

Oneal grew up as a “Preacher’s Kid” in Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee.  His hobbies include learning more about history, geopolitics, apologetics, mechanics, emerging and applied technologies, and anything else that educates about people and God’s creation. A scripture passage he enjoys is Peter’s surprised expression that God’s love is for all nations (Acts 10.34-43).

Betsy grew up in Arizona and enjoys the sunshine. She enjoys walking and nature. She also enjoys reading and taking a lot of pictures of her family and of nature. One of her favorite scriptures is the assurance of God’s love found in Philippians 4.6-7.  

Since coming to Cloverdale, Oneal and Betsy have served on the Missions Committee, and Oneal as an elder since 2010. Betsy has taught in the Preschool Department several years and Oneal has worked with the college ministry. They have enjoyed hosting Small Groups on Sunday nights. 

The Tankersleys are very grateful to the Lord for the Cloverdale church family which has nurtured them, their children and grandchildren, and they hope to be an active and spiritual blessing to the church for many years to come.