Betty Jean McKeel (Hartville)'s Obituary
Betty Jean McKeel, daughter of Floyd and Alma Lucille Humphrey Laird, was born January 21, 1938 in Portageville, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, February 14, 2015 in her home, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of seventy-seven years and twenty-four days.
On December 21, 1954, in Risco, Missouri, Betty was united in marriage to William Robert (Bob) McKeel, and to this union three children were born. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings, Bob Laird, Billy Jo Laird, Tom Laird, and Ruby Herbst. She is survived by her husband Bob, of the home; her children, David McKeel and wife Lois, of Mansfield, Missouri, Ann Dickinson and husband Eddie, of Hartville, Missouri, and Gayla Crump and husband Doug, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and another one in March: two brothers, Raymond Laird and wife Gail, of Sikeston, Missouri, and Don Laird, of Belleville, Illinois; two sisters, Shirley Garner and husband Dale, of Monett, Missouri, and Janet Carroll and husband Howard, of Labadie, Missouri; a number of nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Betty was born and raised in the Boot heel area of Missouri. She attended Risco School and received her GED later in life. She began her career working at White Castle in St. Louis, Missouri. Betty and Bob moved to the farm in Wright County on July 4, 1965. She went to work for H.D. Lee and spent the majority of her working life there. She spent several years debeaking chickens with her sister, Ruby, later working for French’s in Springfield, retiring in the early 2000’s. In her spare time, Betty enjoyed sewing, gardening, making crafts, playing bingo, bowling in various leagues in Mansfield, and baking and decorating cakes. She love to go to garage sales and collecting teapots. Her family was very important to her and she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will treasure the many wonderful memories she has created for her family and many dear friends.
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