Betty Jean Freeman

Betty Jean (Mather) Freeman was born on March 9, 1932 to Orval H. and Stella M. (Walker) Mather in Tarkio, Missouri. She graduated from Tarkio High School and married her high school sweetheart, Dean E. Freeman, on December 24, 1950. Betty passed away at her home in Merriam Woods, Missouri on April 12, 2021, at the age of 89. Prior to her passing, Dean and Betty celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary.

After living in several places as young adults, they settled down on a farm near Oregon, Missouri. While Dean operated a bulldozer and raised cattle, Betty worked for Holt County Farm Bureau for 36 years. During that time, they also contributed to establishing the First Baptist Church of Oregon, Missouri. She was a member of the Holt County Republican Club, the Garden Club, Holt County Historical Society, and Girl Scouts.

After retirement, they moved to southern Missouri where Betty became involved with the Bridge of Faith Community Church, Christian Women’s Connection, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Taney County Republican Women’s Club. Betty enjoyed learning and became the oldest student enrolled at Northwest Missouri State University. She also enjoyed country line dancing, watercolor painting, and sharing Jesus with others. The last resulted in her taking several mission trips both nationally and internationally.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Pamela Shuman, and son-in-law Richard (Denny) Shuman.

She is survived by her husband, Dean, of the home; brother, Dean (Shirley) Mather of Rock Port, Missouri, son, Michael Freeman of Oregon, Missouri; and daughter, Rebecca (Russell) Hendrix of Powersite, Missouri. Betty also had 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

A visitation will be held on April 14, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bridge of Faith Community Church in Rockaway Beach, Missouri. The family will also greet friends at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021 at the Tarkio First Baptist Church, Tarkio, Missouri preceding a celebration of life at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow immediately at Tarkio Home Cemetery, Tarkio, Missouri. Memorials may be directed to the Bridge of Faith Community Church or Merriam Woods Betterment Association, and mailed to PO Box 1059, Rockaway Beach Missouri, 65740, or to the American Cancer Society