Betty R. Chamberlain

Betty Ramona (Smith) Chamberlain, matriarch of a large and growing brood, passed away with her children by her side on December 16, 2021 at the home of her daughter.

Betty was born in Atchison County, Missouri on May 11, 1928, the eldest of five daughters of Walter and Goldie (Beam) Smith.

Betty graduated from Rock Port High School in 1946 as Salutatorian. She attended Northwest Missouri State Teachers College, majoring in education.

She taught for a few years before marrying Gregory Wheeler Chamberlain on April 12, 1950. They became parents of six children and were married 66 years, although Betty always said they were together for 71 years, counting their courtship. Greg passed away on October 7, 2016.

Greg and Betty opened Chamberlain Funeral Home in 1966, and Betty became a licensed funeral director. She also continued to substitute teach. Betty worked in the funeral business, but her primary focus was always her family.

They purchased the funeral home in Oregon, Missouri in 1986, and built a new funeral home in Mound City in 1995.

Betty was also preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; an infant son; and son, Greg II “G” Chamberlain.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Eric and Lynn of Rock Port, LTC Scott (US Army Ret.) and his wife Irene of Winchester, Virginia, and Chris  (Melissa Masonbrink) of Rock Port; daughter and favorite son-in-law, Marcy and Mark McMahon, Rock Port; grandchildren, Meghan Chamberlain, Aubrey (Cory) Scamman, Hillary (Seth) Shippy, Dr. Brett (Chasyn) Chamberlain, Donald L. (Stephanie) Parsons, Michael (Constance) Chamberlain, Philip (Serena) Roberson, Chase (Kori) Chamberlain, Catyn Chamberlain, Lydia Masonbrink, Stephanie Richter, Jared (Emily) McMahon, Jalainey (Justin) Sleeth, Journey (Skyler) Roberts, Jayden McMahon, Jacie McMahon (Stephen Schniedermeyer), Jacob McMahon, and Anthony and Jet Masonbrink; great grandchildren, Cole, Kalyn, Tate and Ella Scamman, Cora, Mack and Brock Shippy, Dreyton and Daxton Parsons, Lailah, Logan and Arabella Roberson, Rylee, Chloe, Everly, Iley, Atley, and Oakley Sleeth, Nora Meyerkorth, Irelyn and Staley McMahon, Dash Chamberlain, and Cash and Brynlee Flores; daughter-in-law, Gail Chamberlain; sisters, Delores Harrington, Shirley Hughes, Jo Woodward, and Beverly Scamman; and nieces and nephews.

Betty always placed family first, and followed and supported their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, even though she didn’t like watching wrestling or football. She enjoyed genealogy, scrapbooking, flower gardening, creative writing, especially poetry, giving underwear as Christmas gifts, and chocolate donuts. She enjoyed the Alumni Banquet until she kept winning "Oldest Alumni in Attendance."

For the past three years Betty made her home with her daughter and son-in-law. That provided for a steady traffic flow of children and grandchildren.

In Betty’s honor, memorials may be directed to any local cemetery or to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Cards may be sent in care of Marcy McMahon, 210 West Clay, Rock Port. Online condolences may be sent to www.chamberlainfuneral.com .

As per her wishes, private family graveside services and interment were held at Greenhill Cemetery, Rock Port, Mo. on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

Special thanks to the office of Dr. Aron Burke, FNP Melissa Masonbrink, the staff of Community Hospital, Stoner Drug, and Three Rivers Hospice.

The Chamberlain family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to John Sommer and the entire staff of Heaton-Bowman-Smith Chapel, St. Joseph for their assistance with these services.