Betty Marie Douglass

Betty Marie Douglass, Mountain Grove, Mo., was born on July 27, 1923, in Wichita, Kan., to the late Glen Wilber and Lucerne (Wardrop) Alderson. She became a Christian at age nine and was a lifelong member of the Greenwood Church of the Brethren. She went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 22, 2007, after surviving cancer for two years. She was blessed with 83 years, seven months and 23 days of vibrant life. When Betty's family moved to Mountain Grove in 1926, the community could not have imagined the lasting impact her life would have. Her determination was evident at age four, when she followed her brothers to Weatherford School and not willing to be sent home, was allowed to begin her education. Her love of learning continued through the years of attending the Mountain Grove schools. Betty's MGHS graduating class of 1939 provided a lifetime of friendships full of love, laughter and spontaneous adventure. After attending State Teacher's College, Betty returned to her educational beginnings to teach in the one-room Weatherford School. On September 20, 1944, Betty was married to Bill Douglass Sr. They made their home in Impo (Dunn) Mo., where they owned and operated Douglass Coal & Wrecking Company. Betty was the bookkeeper for the business for many years. They later moved to the family farm south of Mountain Grove. The birth of Bill Jr., in 1945, was the beginning of a 40-year journey of rearing 13 children. Little did Mommy and Daddy know the impact this would have on their lives, the community, and the Mountain Grove schools. With the death of her husband, Bill, on March 25, 1976, Betty was left to complete her final years of parenting alone. She spent many hours transporting kids back and forth to band, cheerleading and sporting events. In the midst of all this, she found time to take classes at SMS. She continued her college adventure until the age of 67, when technology changed the learning process. With no desire to become idle, Betty found great pleasure in traveling the back roads of Missouri, learning firsthand its history and enjoying the beautiful landscape. The thrill of support and involvement in the lives of her children as well as her grandchildren kept her entertained, active and youthful. Besides her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Bob and Glen Alderson; a son, Bill Jr.; and a granddaughter, Julie. Survivors include two brothers, John Alderson (Joyce), Charles Alderson (Judy); sister-in-law Faye Chrisco; her 12 children, Gene Douglass (Linda), Chet Douglass (Judy), Carol Dodds, Pinky Gum (Mac), Charley Douglass (JeanAnn), Nancy Duplisse (Bill), Jim Douglass (Karen), Nona Richey (Ron), Anna Stigall (Marty), Robert Douglass (Tonya), Marla Douglass, John Douglass (Betty); Bill Jr.'s widow, Vonna; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Betty was known far and wide and was an inspiration to young and old alike. She was endeared and revered by the multitudes who crossed her path. To know her was to love her. Mommy will remain near and dear to our hearts as we travel on with her repeated warning, "Watch out for the slick spots!" In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mountain Grove Alumni Park Fund, Mountain Grove Scholarship Foundation Fund, or Greenwood Church Cemetery Fund. Services will be held today, March 27, 2007, at 1 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Mountain Grove, under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. A visitation was held Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the First Baptist Church.