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Betty Lou (Lawrence) Shoemaker, 97, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Oakridge Nursing Home in Plattsburg, MO. Betty was a 75 year residence of Plattsburg and former Plattsburg High School teacher.Born on June 14, 1928, Betty began her education in a one room school in Mt. Pleasant. She attended Stanberry High school and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO in 1950 with a BS degree in Education. Her first job was teaching business classes at Plattsburg High School. After two years, she moved on to Grant City and taught one more year. Betty then took a position in the Business Administration Office of the Missouri Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph and worked there until marrying Charles (Bud) Shoemaker of Plattsburg on February 12, 1956. Charles and Betty made their home on a farm north of Plattsburg and raised two daughters, Susan and Charlene. In 1968, Betty returned to Plattsburg High School and taught typing, secretarial practice, and accounting classes. Betty retired in 1986 after 21 years of teaching. Beyond teaching, Betty’s life was full with farming, family, and friends. She worked side-by-side with Charles on the farm, lending support wherever needed. She enjoyed time spent with grandchildren and attending their events. She was involved with many organizations and served in officer positions of these organizations throughout her life. She was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women’s Club, Prairie Cottage Extension Service, Retired Teachers Association, and Missouri State Teachers Association. She was a 75 year member of Eastern Star Astra Chapter #78 and a 50+ year member of PEO, Chapter DF. Betty enjoyed the fellowship and friendships made in these organizations. Betty spent the last 8 years as a resident of Oakridge Nursing home in Plattsburg. There she lived gracefully enjoying new friendships and activities under the compassionate care of the staff. Betty enjoyed the visits from family and friends and the many cards and letters received. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Charles Shoemaker, her parents Eva and Claude Lawrence, and siblings Ethel Sylvester, Thomas Lawrence, Katheryn Dollars, and Lucille Guthrie. She is survived by her daughters, Susan Burton of Plattsburg and Charlene Switlik (Larry) of Parkville, 6 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.Services will be held at the Bailey & Cox Funeral Home, Plattsburg, on Saturday, September 6th at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. before the service. Graveside services will follow the service at the Brethren Cemetery. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family request a memorial donation to be made to The Gathering Place Senior Center of Plattsburg or PEO Chapter DF Scholarship Fund, care of Bailey & Cox Funeral Home, in honor of Betty Shoemaker. Arrangements Bailey & Cox Family Funeral Service Plattsburg Missouri. Online obituary and guestbook at www.baileycox.com

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