Betty Ruth Fleming

Betty Ruth ( Goolsby) Fleming was born May 9, 1933 to Dora (Lippold) and Ralph Goolsby in Verdon, Nebraska, the middle child of 7. She attended Verdon schools and graduated in 1951.

She played volleyball in high school and was a cheerleader. She taught herself to sew, making clothes for herself and sisters out of flour sacks. This talent served her well all through life.

Betty married James (Jim) Fleming July 13, 1952 in Falls City, Nebraska at a close friends house. They, along with Betty’s daughter, who Jim later adopted, lived in Omaha a short time. They moved  to Falls City where they were blessed with 2  sons. Then they moved to Osawatomie, KS where a set of identical twin boys were born. It was a busy time with 5 children ages 5 and under.  Betty worked at Moto Day factory, making women’s blouses while in Osawatomie. She also made a lot of her clothes (tailored suits and shirt waisted dresses), sons shirts, daughters clothes and numerous household goods, such as quilts and curtains.

The family moved to Council Grove, Kansas where she worked at “The Specialty” dress store and played on a woman’s soft ball team! Their youngest son was also born there. Finally the family settled in Raytown, Missouri, where Betty lived for 53 years. Betty worked for a short time at Chocolate Soup factory making baby girl specialty clothes and also had a tailoring business out of her home. She made several Pendleton wool suits and sequined prom dresses for her oldest granddaughter, sometimes making her own patterns. She took care of the house, doing everything from the painting of rooms to planting the flowers! Summer weekends, after the children were older, for her and Jim, were spent visiting and enjoying family and friends at their second home in Randolph, Kansas. Betty loved sewing, doing all kinds of crafts,(everything from embroidery to paint by number) and collecting dolls and later costume jewelry.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Dora and Ralph Goolsby; her husband, James(Jim) her oldest son, Don; her sister Dorothy McKinsey and husband Roland; brothers Donald (Don) and wife Donna ; Robert (Bob) and wife Alyce; and Richard (Dick) Goolsby.

Betty is survived by her daughter Vicki (Bruce) Henning, Basehor, Kansas; son Jay(Pat) of Archie MO.; Son (twin) Ray (Debbie) of Sulphur, LA; son (twin) Roy (Jan) of Grain Valley, MO ; and son Scott (Barbara) of Kansas City, MO. Her sister Ilene Stephens of Auburn, NE. and youngest sister Mary Herbster of Auburn,NE as well. Betty also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.

Betty left this earth on December 9,2022 while living at Tiffany Springs Nursing Home.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.