Betty O. Justus

BETTY O. JUSTUS

Betty O. Justus, 93 of Smithville, MO passed away September 2, 2005 in Morgan Town, WV.

She was born on December 17, 1911 to James Ernest and Dolly E. (Dierking) Odell in Napton, MO, where she spent her childhood on the family farm and graduated from high school. Betty later graduated with a teaching degree from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., attended the University of Chicago; and received a masters degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.

On August 2, 1944 she was united in marriage to James E. Justus in Marshall, MO. After their marriage they lived in Beloit, WI, and in 1950 they moved to Smithville where they made their home. Her husband, Jim, preceded her in death in 1989.

Betty was a Country School teacher in Hardeman, MO., was Administrator of Missouri State Boys Home in Carrollton, MO.; was a Girl Scout Executive in Beloit, Wisconsin and a third grade teacher in Smithville, MO., for over 17 years.

From 1950 until 1989 she was a working partner with her husband, Jim, on their land, ?Justus Farms?, four miles west of Smithville, MO. After Jim?s death she continued to operate the farm with the assistance of David Waters until 1994, at which time she turned the operation over to her neighbor and dear friend David ?Bub? Miller. Betty continued to live in her farm home until recently.

Betty was a member of Smith Chapel Methodist Church in Napton, MO., was active in the D.A.R. for 55 years, the University Woman?s Association and was a 50 year member of the Alpha Book Club of Smithville.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, a son; Edgar J. Justus, sister; Helen Odell, brother; Paul Odell and foster brother; Johnny Lynch.

Betty is survived by her children; Joanne J. Clark and husband Robey H., Amarillo, TX, James O. Justus and wife Karen, Petersburg, MI, and Judith E. Evans and husband George, Swanton, MD, twenty grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law, Ann (Kroeck) Justus, Beloit, WI, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial Service: 2:00 P.M. Thursday, September 8th at the First Christian Church of Smithville. The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church.
Private Burial will be held at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Smithville, prior to the service.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed to the church or charity of your choice.

Arrangements: Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville