Betty Mitchell

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Betty Jo Mitchell, 91, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, at Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Betty was born Feb. 23, 1927, in Sikeston, daughter of the late William R. and Linnie Ritch Heath. Following graduation in 1945 from Sikeston High School, she married Robert LaValle Mitchell in Gulfport, Mississippi, on June 23, 1945. He preceded her in death Jan. 28, 2005.

Shel was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, past member of United Methodist Women and other volunteer positions in the church. She served as a Boy Scout leader, Girl Scout leader and member of the Cotton Bowl Girl Scout Executive Committee. Betty was also a charter member of PEO, Chapter JU, and a 50-year volunteer member of the Missouri Delta Medical Center Auxiliary.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert L. (Kathleen) Mitchell Jr. of Sikeston; a daughter and son-in-law Sally Ann (Dan) Lape of Sikeston; three grandchildren and their spouses, Elizabeth (Joe) Johnson, Deke (Jill) Lape and Clay Lape, all of Sikeston; and five great-grandchildren, David Johnson, Kathleen Johnson, Collin Lape, Jay Lape and Will Lape, all of Sikeston.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Doyle Clay Heath, and two sisters, Marguerite Hayden and Mary Emma Diehl.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the church, with the Revs. Jennifer Bell Moxley and Mike Wondel officiating. Interment service will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1307 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO 63801 or Missouri Delta Medical Center, 1008 N. Main St., Sikeston, MO 63801.

Ponder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.