Betty J. (Henley) Currence Vance

Betty Jane Henley Currence Vance, 91, of Eldon, Missouri passed  to her heavenly home on Saturday, October 24, 2020.  She was surrounded by family members listening to them singing some favorite hymns.

Betty was born in Hannibal, Missouri on May 29, 1929. She was the daughter of William Arthur (Art) and Ellen Bunker Henley. Betty’s family moved to Eldon when she was six years old and has been a resident of Eldon since then.  Betty was a 1947 Eldon High School graduate, where she played clarinet in the High School Band.

In March, 1949 Betty married Jerald David Currence. To this union was born Janice Sue Currence Turner (Phil) of Nixa, Missouri,  Richard David Currence (Donna) of Eldon, Missouri, Ronald Gene Currence of Eldon, Missouri, Donald Lynn Currence (Cheta) of Ozark, Missouri, Debra Ann Groose (Chris) of Eugene  and Barbara Ellen Currence (Lisa) of Lakewood, Colorado. 

Her grandchildren include Amy Currence of Jefferson City, Joanna Turner Decker (Aaron) of Neosho, Missouri, Sarah Turner of O’Fallon, Missouri,  Hannah Currence of Point Lookout, Missouri, Leah Currence of Springfield, Missouri, Ryan Groose (Casey) of Dadeville, Missouri, Eric Groose (Jessica) of  Olean, Missouri, Christina Groose (Tiffany) of Newburg, Missouri. Great grandchildren are Noah, Ben, and Henry Groose, Carl, Sarah, and Mackenzy Church, Kinsley Rose Groose,  Joseph, Jaxon and Jonas Decker and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, William & Ellen Henley and her sisters Maxine Henley and Dorothy Engle.

Betty was married to Jerald for 28 years until his death in 1977.  They lived on a farm north of Eldon for many years.  Betty was to married Harold A. Vance in 1978 and they were married for 18 years until his passing in 1996. Two step sons Greg and Scott Vance and  families.

Throughout her life, Betty was employed as a clerk at the dime store in Eldon after High School and also at Kraft Foods.  She was a bookkeeper at Reed’s Department Store,  Tri-County Tractor Sales, Western Auto, Burlingame’s Car Dealership and Lloyd Belt Car Dealership, Betty & Jerald owned Gamble’s Store for several years.

Betty joined First Baptist Church in Eldon, Missouri in 1939. She was a member of the church for 81 years. She has held membership at the church the longest of any current member. She was a very active member at the church and was involved in the music ministry at church for 58 years.

There will be a private family funeral service followed by interment at Greenmore Memorial Gardens, Barnett, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to First Baptist Church of Eldon Music Ministry or to the family.

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