Betty Jean Marsh Mowry, 84

Betty Jean Marsh Mowry was born Aug. 20, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo.  Seventeen days later, she was adopted by Ernest and Mary Schnabel Marsh of Ionia, Benton County, Missouri., who gave her much love and a wonderful Christian foundation for life. She graduated from Cole Camp High School, attended Central Missouri State College, received an Associate of Arts degree from State Fair Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephens College.  She taught in the rural schools of Benton and Pettis counties from 1938 to 1943.  During World War II she worked at Pratt Whitney Aircraft in Kansas City as a piston inspector.

On Dec. 22, 1945, she was married to Paul Mowry, who preceded her in death on Jan. 25, 2002.  Two sons were born to this union: Paul Jr. and Bruce Edward, both of whom survive.

Mrs. Mowry was baptized and joined the Methodist Protestant Church, Ionia, at age nine and in 1948 became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sedalia, where she continued to be active until her death.

She served as Sunday school teacher and counselor for the Methodist Youth Fellowship, and was a member of most committees of the church locally and in district and conference committee work.  She was a member of United Methodist Women and its preceding organizations and served locally and as a district officer for many years.

She served as an officer in Horace Mann and Heber Hunt Parent Teacher Associations and was a den mother for Cub Scouts.  She enjoyed genealogy, crafts and quilting. In 1963 she was a legal secretary for the law firm of Lamm, Barnett, Crawford & Barnes and in 1968 became one of the original administrative assistants at State Fair Community College.  In 1983 she retired as SFCC Registrar & Administrative Assistant in the Student Personnel Office.

She enjoyed serving as a community volunteer, including Meals on Wheels, Children’s Therapy Center and many years in public relations for Habitat for Humanity.

She is survived by two sons, Paul Mowry, Jr., of Austin, Texas, and Bruce Mowry and wife, Sharon, of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren: Robin, Kelly, Russell, Rebecca, and Scott; six great-grandchildren, several cousins, and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Celebration Center of First United Methodist Church, with Pastor Jim Downing officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be beside her husband at Memorial Park Cemetery.  The family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, or the SFCC Foundation.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kenneth Azan, the staff at Bothwell Regional Health Center, Winchester Meadows and Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center for the loving care they provided her.

Arrangements are in the care of Heckart Funeral Home.