Betty Garner

BRADENTON, Fla. — Betty Helen Garner passed away peacefully in the early morning of Friday, June 23, 2023, due to natural causes at Sarasota Life Care Center in Bradenton.

Betty, a native of Advance, Missouri, was born Jan. 23, 1926, and she was 97 years old.

She attended and graduated from Advance High School. She was an avid volleyball and softball player in her youth. She ranked the highest academically in her class and delivered the valedictory speech at her commencement in 1943.

Betty loved spending time with her family, friends and dogs. She traveled the country and the world with her beloved late husband, R.C. Garner. She was a loving and generous person and will be missed by all.

Betty is survived by her son, Douglas Barker; granddaughter, Sarah Barker; stepchildren, Bob Garner and wife, Ann Garner, Belinda Goggin and husband, Jim Goggin, Bob Miller (late Pam Miller's spouse) and Peggy Garner (late Gary's spouse); and several other nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bob Ford; mother, Maude Ford; sisters, Agatha Marie Winchester and Virginia Bollinger; brothers, Robert Ford and Jack Ford; husband, R.C Garner; stepdaughter, Pam; and stepson, Gary Garner.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, July 21, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will immediately follow at noon Friday, July 21, at the funeral home. Betty will be laid next to her husband at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society.

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