Betty Shortt, age 82, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on August 29, 2026, at her home. Betty was born to Carl Inman and Addie Mae Farr on April 30, 1944, in Springfield, Missouri. She was raised in Sparta, Missouri, and graduated from Sparta High School in 1962. Betty was united in marriage to Lowell Shortt in 1974 in Miami, Oklahoma. Betty and Lowell shared 20 years of marriage and were blessed with two children, Sarah Shelburn and Mark Shortt.

Betty spent most of her career in the insurance field initially working for her husband Lowell’s independent agency in Ozark and then later at MJ Kelly in Springfield. In between, Betty went back to school at the age of 50 and earned a teaching degree. She taught English for a few years before ultimately getting back into insurance. Betty loved to read and ended up writing two books, which were published. One about her time growing up in the Ozarks with her twin sister Beverly and the other a murder/mystery set in a nursing home. She was very proud of her writing and had plans for several more books. Betty also loved to cook and decorate and, in fact, many of her kids’ friends had fondly nicknamed her Betty Crocker. She loved her kids unconditionally and never missed a gymnastics practice, basketball game, track meet, cheerleading or dance competition, or anything else in which her kids were involved. She was also skilled in sewing and crocheting and made many clothes, costumes, and various outfits for her children and family through the years.

Betty loved to travel and was able to go on many great adventures from fishing in Canada, traveling to Europe several times, and most recently spending time in Washington with her son and family, and taking a trip to see the Grand Canyon with her daughter.

She was also the very proud grandmother to two granddaughters who she was constantly bragging about. Ava and Maggie brought her so much joy and she loved them endlessly.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother and father, Carl and Addie Mae Inman; several aunts and uncles; and her ex-husband, Lowell Shortt. She is survived by her stepson, Dane Shortt and his wife, Candace, of Red Lodge, Montana; her daughter, Sarah Shelburn and her daughter, Maggie, of Springfield, Missouri; her son, Mark Shortt and his wife, Angel, and daughter Ava of Meridian, Idaho; her identical twin sister, Beverly Lolley and husband, Gregg, of Strafford, Missouri; her nephew, Steve Throckmorton and his wife, April, of Marshfield, Missouri; and her niece, Karen Throckmorton of Sparta, Missouri.

A visitation for Betty will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri. A Celebration of Life for Betty will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, 10:00 am, at Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark with burial to follow at Sparta Cemetery located in Sparta, Missouri.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark Missouri.