Betty Louise Mathis

Betty Louise Mathis, 79, of Independence, MO passed away June 1, 2020. A private graveside service will be held in June with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.Betty was born on February 21, 1941 in Camden County, MO. In 1959, she graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, MO. One week after graduation, she married her husband of 53 years, Thomas H. Mathis, on June 19, 1959. Betty loved reading, flower gardening, quilting, family dinners, decorating for Christmas, Starlight Theater, Bunco, painting, kitties, Willie Nelson and bluegrass music. She was thrilled to be able to travel to Ireland, Hawaii and other spots in the U.S. She could hardly believe a little girl from the Ozarks grew up to travel so broadly. Her greatest love was for her family and she gave freely of her time, energy and love to them. She was a life-long Baptist and held fast to God’s promise in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. She retired from both the Federal Reserve Bank and Sprint. She was co-owner of the Calico Quilt Shop with her daughter, Sherrie Thurman.

She is preceded in death by Thomas Mathis (husband), Gerald Cooper (father), Lester Hobson (mother), Esther Dunnington (sister), Gerald (Jerry) Cooper (brother) and Troy Montgomery (grandson). Survivors include her daughters, Sherrie (John) Thurman, Judy (Spencer) James. Grandchildren: Megan (Joel) Presnell, David (Valorie) Montgomery, Matthew (Aubrey) Smith, Rebecca (Deron) Mebane, Jennifer James, Desiree (Wade) Jones, Nicholas James, Drew Thurman and Leslie Thurman. Betty had 13 great-grandchildren: Andreya Cates, Joseph and Chris Presnell, Leah Mebane, Adison Cates, Haleigh and Madison Presnell, Kellan Jones, Gabriel Montgomery, Remington Montgomery, Maren Mebane and Quincee Smith.She is also survived by her brother, J.L. Cooper and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She loved her family second only to God. Betty also enjoyed the company of many great friends who will also miss her.

Betty instilled a love of reading in her daughters which has carried through the rest of the family. There was never a time when she didn’t have a least one book she was reading with multiples lined up next. When her daughters were very young, Betty didn’t drive yet. They would walk over 2 miles round trip to the public library inside of Van Horn High School for their books. She had recently discovered the joys of checking out a book electronically which provided her many hours of enjoyment during the pandemic quarantine.

To honor this legacy, the family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memory donations may be made to the Mid-Continent Public Library at https://mymcpl.thankyou4caring.org/inmemorydonation. Please send acknowledgements via the online form to Heartland Cremation and Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 64133. If you prefer to send a check, please send your donation in care of Heartland Cremation and Burial Society at the same address.

When it was time to leave Mom’s house after a family get together, you didn’t just get up and leave. There was the first round of goodbyes, then the “wait, don’t you want to take some of this food home?”. Next it was gathering of the food and then “oh, I found I had one more Christmas gift for you”….at Easter. Then it was the goodbye at the door and “I need to tell you just one more thing”. Then it was the walk to the car with another round of hugs and goodbyes. While we grieve her passing, we are comforted she is in Heaven with those who have gone before and can only guess as she bends God’s ear, she’s telling Him, “oh and just one more thing”.

A life well-lived is impossible to put in a few paragraphs but she would want you to know she loved every minute of it and had no regrets.

Rest in peace, we love you.