Betty Grace (Howe) Evans

Betty Grace (Howe) Evans, 80, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023 at E.W. Thompson Health Center in Sedalia where she had resided for several years.

The daughter of Kenneth and Elizabeth Howe, Betty was born January 21, 1943 in Knox County, MO.  She married Emery (Ed) Evans June 27, 1965 in the Newark Baptist Church.  He preceded her in death on November 2, 2022.

After graduating from LaBelle High School in 1961, Betty attended Kirksville State Teachers College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1966.

After graduating college, Betty taught third grade in Novelty before moving to Eldon in the summer of 1971, where she spent the remainder of her teaching career before retiring in 1998.

Betty also worked at the Dogpatch Gift Shop on the weekends and summers and for many years after retiring from teaching.  It was a job she enjoyed because of the people she worked with and as she always said, “people are usually in a good mood when they are on vacation.”

Betty enjoyed sewing, trying new recipes, making crafts, spending time outdoors and growing flowers, frequently sharing her creations with friends and family.  But the thing she loved the most was spending time with her cats.  She could never turn away a stray cat that came to her door and she became known as the neighborhood “cat lady.”

In addition to her husband and parents, Betty was also preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Lee, of LaBelle, MO.

She is survived by a sister, Carol (Kent) Van Meter, of Smithton; an aunt, Charlotte Harvey, of Knox City; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Eldon, MO with a Celebration of Life beginning at 2:00 PM.  Graveside Service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Newark Cemetery in Newark, MO.

Memorials in her name are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Eldon, MO or Eldon South Elementary School.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO. 

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