Bettie Talbert

Longtime Cape Girardeau resident Bettie Sue McHaney Talbert, 85, returned to the arms of God on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, after a long-term battle with autoimmune pulmonary interstitial disease.

The daughter of George and Lois McHaney, born Nov. 14, 1934, in Marmaduke, Arkansas, grew up in Kennett, Missouri, where she played basketball in high school and played several musical instruments. She was the drum majorette of her high school band, a member of the National Honor Society and the first of her family to attend college. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1956, where she was one of the original members of the Mizzou Golden Girls, a drum majorette and twirling squad for the University of Missouri Band. She joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and in 1953, she led only 14 other members in recruiting 34 new members, rejuvenating the sorority to great growth and success. In 1955, she was elected as a finalist in the "Savitar" Yearbook contest. After college in 1956, Bettie married her high school sweetheart, Dr. C.R. "Tim" Talbert while he was attending Washington University Medical School in St. Louis.

After graduation from the University of Missouri, Mrs. Talbert taught home economics at Ladue High School in St. Louis. There she developed and supervised the majorettes and flag corps. Arriving in Cape Girardeau, she established a training program for the majorettes at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

Bettie has been loyal to the Greek Community and is credited with founding the Delta Nu chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority at Southeast Missouri State University, from which more than 1,700 have graduated over the last 52 years.

Bettie and Tim moved to Cape Girardeau with their young family in 1965. They joined Centenary United Methodist Church, began a medical practice and spent the last 55 years as active members of the community.

In 1968, she was named "Outstanding Young Woman of the Year" by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

In the 1970s, Bettie recruited the local medical auxiliary (consisting of physicians' wives) to become certified CPR instructors. Together, the 12 women trained the local fire department, police and members of the general public, ultimately resulting in more than 1,000 people certified to administer CPR all across Cape County.

Bettie was the chairwoman of the Education Committee of the community betterment project "Cape Go," officer of the local medical auxiliary, member of PEO and member of the SEMO symphony board.

In the 1980s, she developed Plaza Galleria with an ice rink and a skating program for local youth groups in Cape Girardeau, producing many skating shows and winning many competitions with local children skating in the shows.

She established a scholarship fund for the "Outstanding Pledge at Alpha Delta Pi Sorority" and served as rush adviser for more than 25 years. In 1970, she was appointed as the sole officer for recruitment for the national ADPi sorority.

In 2018, in recognition of her lifelong contributions, she and her husband were named recipients of the Friend of the University Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.

Bettie's lifelong passion was landscape gardening at her home in Cape Girardeau, drawing inspiration from famous gardens worldwide. More than 50 species of plants are presently growing at her home.

Bettie Talbert is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dr. C.R. "Tim" Talbert of Cape Girardeau; sons, Tim (Michelle) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chris (Shelby) of New York City and Lewis (Kelly) of Austin, Texas; as well as grandchildren, Thomas, Ryan, Susanna, Trace and McHaney Talbert. She is also survived by her niece, Marsha Thompson (Ed) of Cape Girardeau; nephews, Jim McHaney of Atlanta, Dennis McHaney of Austin and Kenneth McHaney of Memphis, Tennessee; and multiple great-nieces and -nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to Centenary United Methodist Church, American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

A private family graveside service will be held Wednesday at Fairmount Cemetery.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.