Beth Ann (Myers) Fitzlaff, 62, passed into the arms of Jesus on May 26, 2023.  A visitation will be held June 3, 2023, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Greenlawn East, 3540 East Seminole, Springfield, MO.  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm at Greenlawn memorial Gardens, 3600 North National in Springfield.

Beth was born in Wichita, Kansas to Leon and Reva Myers.  After a few years in Oklahoma they moved to Joplin, Missouri.  She spent her early years living on a farm outside of Seneca, MO.  After graduating high school in Seneca in 1978, she attended Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO.  She earned an associate degree in business, then she continued her studies earning a bachelor’s degree in education.  She began teaching first grade at West Central Elementary School in Joplin.

Because of her love for Jesus Christ and her commitment in serving Him, she became involved in summer mission’s trips.  The first venture led her to a Bible camp in Alaska and later to travel overseas to Taiwan to work with the English ministries of Agape International Christian Center in 1990.  It was during that trip that she not only met the pastor of Agape, but her future husband, Brad Fitzlaff.  They married February 2, 1991 in Joplin.  The couple returned to Taiwan to complete their term of service. After moving back to the US, their first son, Brandon, was born in 1993 in Minnesota.  Moving overseas again and serving a short assignment in Jakarta, Indonesia, they moved to Bangkok, Thailand.  It was there that their second son, Brian, was born in 1997.

In 2000, the family moved to Springfield, MO.  Shortly thereafter, Beth started working for Springfield Public Schools. She taught 1^st grade for 14 years at Mark Twain Elementary, before completing her master’s degree in 2016 at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. She then spent the following 4 years, teaching English Learners at David Harrison Elementary, and 1 year online before her retirement in 2022 due to health issues.

Some of the loved ones she’s enjoying in heaven are her grandmother, uncles, cousins, her in-laws, and a host of friends.

Members of her immediate family mourning her loss are her husband of 32 years, Brad; sons, Brandon (Sarah); Brian (Kirsten); grandchildren, Maverick, and Asher. Her parents, Leon and Reva; her brother David (Cathy), her sister, Lisa; numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

“In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.”