Betty Lucille Thomas

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Our beloved mom and grandmother, Betty Lucille Thomas, departed this life April 22, 2012 surrounded by her family at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO at the age of 83.
Betty was born on September 16, 1928 northeast of Creighton, MO to Julius & Eunice Meyer. As a young girl, Betty, being the oldest of four brothers, spent much of her time caring for her younger siblings and working on her family’s farm. Betty played basketball at Creighton High School. After graduating from Creighton High School, she attended business classes in the Kansas City area.
On January 1, 1948 Betty was united in marriage to Delbert Thomas. The two raised three children, Larry, Lonny, and Barbara in their hometown of Creighton, MO. Betty’s greatest joy was her children and family. Betty was hard-worker. She worked at the Post Office in Creighton and Harrisonville for over 25 years before she retired in 1989. Betty was a member of Creighton Christian Church and had served as an elder. She would often be found leading Vacation Bible School, singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday school classes. Betty also went above and beyond to make sure neighbors and friends were taken care of and would often provide rides to those in need.
Betty looked forward to gardening and loved to stay busy planting a wide variety of vegetables. Family members remember Betty planting & preparing fresh potatoes, tomatoes, corn on the cob, okra, and many other vegetables. She was also notorious for her delicious canned pickles. Betty enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, and embroidery. She would embroider beautiful tea towels and pillowcases for loved ones.

Betty chose to show her love in “little ways” that meant the world to those who loved her. She cared for her mother, Eunice, when she was ill. Betty was infamous for sending greeting cards for every occasion; her grandkids looked forward to the expected cards dozens of times per year. Many grandkids also remember ‘Granny’s backrubs’. Betty never hesitated to do things for others.
At the age of the 75, Betty was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, at which time she was surrounded by her family in order to assist her with her care. She lived with her son Larry and his wife Judy during the summer months and her daughter Barbara and her husband Juan during the winter months. Even after battling Alzheimer’s for nearly eight years, Betty served as an inspiration to many. When her memory wavered, Betty’s dedication and love for her family never did.
Betty will be remembered for her life of love, dedication, and sincere thoughtfulness for others; she was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Julius and Eunice Meyer and one brother, Charles Meyer.
Surviving are her two sons, Larry Thomas and wife Judy of Lee’s Summit and Lonny Thomas and wife Marla of Independence; one daughter, Barbara Villanueva and husband Juan of Nixa; eight grandchildren, Sean Thomas, Cheyenne Petty, Angela Jenness, Robert Thomas, Lisa Hayes, Alannah Yoder, Emilio Villanueva, and Isabel Villanueva; nine great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri. Burial will be in the Grant Cemetery near Creighton, Missouri.
The family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to the Creighton Christian Church Memorial Fund, Creighton, Missouri or to the Alzheimers Association.