Betty Jane Stokes
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Betty Jane Stokes passed away peacefully at the age of 83 in Olathe, KS with family at her side.
She was born in Rockford, Ohio on April 18th, 1935 to the late Elmer and Helen Andrews. Betty graduated with honors from Clyde High School in Ohio, where she met the love of her life, Frederic Paul Stokes. They were married on October 3rd, 1952 and relocated to Kansas City in 1964.
Betty is survived by her greatest accomplishments, her five children: Kim Roberts of Buffalo, MO; Sue (Al) Latham of Blue Springs, MO; Liz (Jerry) Jackson of Overland Park, KS; John (Sheila) Stokes of Kansas City, MO; and Trish (Linard) Harris of Leawood, KS. In addition, she leaves behind 13 grandchildren: Matthew Roberts, Sara (Steven) Peachey, Jason (Jennifer) Parson, Laurel (Josh) Hedden, Josh Parson, Ashley (Cody) Jensen, Joseph (Lindsay) Jackson, Rachel (Ted) Callahan, John Stokes, Kelly Stokes, Katelyn LaMartina, Nicole LaMartina, and Quentin Harris.
She is also survived by 20 great grandchildren, her sister Patricia Gedert of Saint Joseph, Michigan and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her loving husband Frederic Paul Stokes, her sister Brenda Meinke, her brother Mike Andrews and sons-in-law Benny Parson and Vern Roberts.
Betty was blessed with many talents. She loved music. She played the organ, piano, violin, and saxophone and loved to sing. Her favorite song was “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music, which she sang frequently to all of her grandchildren. She was a talented decorator and loved to cook. She enjoyed hosting dinners and parties for her family, friends and clergy. She hosted two international students while they attended Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO. She loved to travel, and researched locations for interesting history, culture, and cuisine. She and Fred visited 41 of the 50 United States, and they traveled abroad. She designed and built a beautiful log home on Bryant Creek in southern Missouri. She was a talented seamstress. She was a Master Gardener, a master of crossword puzzles, and loved to play the game Rummikub.
Betty was a devout Christian, actively attending Lutheran Church Missouri Synod churches her adult life. She was active in LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League).
She worked as a receptionist/insurance specialist for two physicians in Overland Park, Dr Donald Smith and Dr. Charles Stuckey.
The family would like to thank Evergreen Community of Johnson County, especially the staff in the Cottage Creek neighborhood, where Betty lived for the last 18 months, and Evergreen Hospice Care, for their exceptional and loving care. She loved being outside and especially enjoyed the gardens, gazebo and fish pond in the courtyard at Evergreen Community. Donations in her honor can be made to Evergreen Community of Johnson County, 11875 S Sunset Drive Suite 100, Olathe KS 66061.
Betty’s life will celebrated on Saturday, April 27th with visitation from 2-3 pm and a Memorial Service 3-3:30 in the chapel at Heartland Cremation and Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown MO 64133.
So Sorry Betty passed. I loved her dearly and will miss her. I had hoped in few years I could retire and hopefully travel to go visit Mike’s sisters. He thought so much of his sisters. Especially with Pat and Betty being so much older they kind of spoiled their little brother. I always enjoyed the times we had the chance to spend time with Betty and Fred. They welcomed me into the family and made it fun. Love you all! Aunt Becky