Betty Beatrice Sechler was born on May 31, 1924 to Hosea Williams and Pansy May (Wilks) Williams in Springfield, Missouri. She passed on from this world to meet the Lord on December 24, 2011 at the age of 87 after a long illness.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her infant sister, Susan Jane Williams, her unborn granddaughter, Elizabeth May Welker and her close cousin Rose Marie Barker. She is survived by her son, Errett Christopher (“Chris”) Sechler III, of Augusta, Georgia, and her daughter, Susan Jane Welker, and husband, Rick, of Springfield, Missouri. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Kit Sechler, and wife, Katy; Rett Sechler; Ash Sechler; Casey Sechler; Jeremy Welker, and wife, Maria; Jason Welker, and wife, Amy; Katy Welker; and Beth Wildgen, and husband, Erick. She was also blessed to be survived by six great-grandchildren: Lucie and Jack Sechler; and Cameron, Landon, Viviani, and Sophia Welker. Betty is also survived by her close friend, Frances Spotswood, and cousins, especially Sue Fergerson and Patricia Hanson.
Betty graduated from Senior High School (now Central High School) in Springfield in 1942. She spent her life as a homemaker, but was actively involved in church and other pursuits. She was saved when she was seven years old, and was a member of three different churches during her lifetime: Grant Avenue Baptist, First Baptist, and University Heights Baptist Churches, all in Springfield. She was a life member of Cox Medical Center Auxiliary and was a St. John’s Hospital volunteer for many years. Betty was also an accomplished pianist, and greatly enjoyed acting and singing, being active in Springfield Little Theatre, adult and children’s church dramas and choirs, and Sweet Adelines Chorus of Springfield. However, the primary joy in her life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank many of the special caregivers that provided care for Betty during the final months of her life, especially Susie Fiechter and Judy Richards.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home South, 441 West Battlefield, in Springfield, Missouri. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home South, with burial to immediately follow at Eastlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or American Lung Association would be appreciated.