BETTY JEAN YOUNG

Betty Jean Young, 85, of Springfield, MO passed to heaven on August 21, 2017 at the Gainesville Healthcare Center surrounded by her family. She was born January 6, 1932 in DeSoto, MO, the daughter of Oliver and Golda (Kobel) Oker.

Betty graduated from DeSoto High School and was united in marriage to Donald Young on July 2, 1949. To this marriage they were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Laura. Betty enjoyed playing the piano and playing bridge. She loved to travel, especially with family on cruises.

Betty was saved and baptized at an early age. She was a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, MO for many years and then joined Graceway Baptist Church in Springfield, MO where she enjoyed playing the piano for her Sunday school class.

Betty loved her family and especially wanted them all together during the Christmas holiday, which was her favorite. She decorated her home for every minor or major holiday, but at Christmas she went all out.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband Donald Young; her mother and father Golda and Oliver Oker; her younger sister Janet; and her younger brother George.

She leaves behind her loving family: two daughters Linda Young Carr of Springfield, MO, Laura Young Cottom and husband Tedd of South Mills, NC; her siblings Mildred Sloan of DeSoto, MO and Bob Oker of St Charles, MO; her grandchildren Tracy Cunningham-Whalen and husband Mike of Scottsdale, AZ, Donnie Cunningham and wife Karen of Thornfield, MO, Kelly Lewis and husband Mike of Savannah, GA, Jason Cottom and wife of Branson, MO; great grandchildren Sara Jo Cunningham, Bailey Marie Cunningham, Garrett Cunningham all of Thornfield, MO, Corey Chisam and wife Rachael of Springfield, MO, Casey Chisam of Springfield, MO, Christian Wetzel and wife Heather of San Antonio, TX, Cameron Wetzel, Pierce Lewis, Hillary Lewis all of Savannah, GA, Lexie Cottom, Jaxon Cotton, Alex Cottom, Max Cottom all of Branson, MO; and one great-great grandchild Shelby Chisam of Springfield, MO.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, August 24, 2017 in the Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, MO with Bob Stephenson officiating. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105-1942. Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.