Betty Pool's Obituary
Betty Loretta Williams, daughter of Orville Charles and Mada Clemens (Hayworth) Williams was born July 25, 1925 in Crane, Missouri. She departed this life early Sunday morning, March 11, 2012 in Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 86 years, 7 months and fifteen days.
Eldest of five children, Betty enjoyed the adventures of the Ozark hills and shared the rich heritage of her family with her brothers and sisters. She was born in Crane, then lived with her family on a farm in Texas. Then her freshman year the family moved back to the Seymour area. Betty began teaching at Flint Hollow a two-room school northeast of Seymour and then taught at Mountain View School.
On February 8, 1943 Betty was united in marriage to James Russell Pool and to this union one daughter and three sons were born. Betty had always had a special place in her heart for little ones and cared for many area children as a kindergarten teacher, classroom aide and high school librarian, but her true calling was being a mother. She flourished as she watched her children grow. Betty was a devoted grandmother and was blessed to be a great-grandmother and a great-great grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years James Russell Pool in 2005; her parents; her brother Calvin Williams and her sister-in-law Eleanor Holcomb.
Betty is survived by her daughter Lisa Underwood and husband Neil of Springfield, MO; her sons Rodney Pool and wife Carol of Fair Grove, MO, Stephen Pool and wife Rhonda of Laquey, MO, and Jeffrey Pool and wife Martha of Seymour, MO; her 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; her sisters Alice Blankenship of Marshfield, MO, Metta Ellen Crawford of Niangua, MO; her brother Alba Williams of Springfield, MO, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
A true Ozark beauty, Betty was independent, generous and hardworking. She passed these characteristics on to her children and taught them to look for the good in others, be mindful of the things they have and most importantly to love your family. We are known by the fruits of our labor, and Betty is known by the love, care and laughter she shared with those who knew her. Deep roots, Betty knew like her garden it takes deep roots to grow, she leaves behind deep roots for her family to continue to grow.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, great-great- grandmother, sister, aunt and a caring neighbor and friend, Betty Loretta Pool will be deeply missed. We celebrate her life, accomplishments and will treasure the memories she left for each of us.
Services for Betty Pool will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 2p.m. in the Holman Howe Chapel; Seymour, MO. Burial will be at the Seymour Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Holman Howe Funeral Homes of Seymour. Visitation will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2012 in the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.holmanhoweseymour.com Memorial contributions may be made to the Seymour Community Library in care of HOLMAN HOWE PO BOX 366, SEYMOUR, MO 65746.
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