Betty Louise Clinkenbeard

On February 20, 2025, after 91 years and 150 days of life fully lived, Betty Louise Clinkenbeard of Springfield, Missouri, passed away in her sleep, in the home built for her by Don Clinkenbeard, husband of fifty-six years.

Betty was the first of two daughters to Charles Baxter & Betty Jane Black; sister to Cynthia Elaine Lacy; wife to Donald Edward Clinkenbeard (deceased, December 12, 2011); mother to Charles Jeffrey Clinkenbeard, Gregory Don Clinkenbeard and Kyaw Tha Hla. She was also daughter-in-law to Edna Clinkenbeard (deceased); sister-in-law to George & Helen Clinkenbeard (both deceased), Marianne Kneipe (deceased), Patsy Brashears, and Bill Clinkenbeard (deceased) & Myrna. As well as “Aunt Betty” to Emily Lacy & Ian Lacy, Charles & Abby Lacy, and John & Lisa Lacy.

Her social world was also large where she was a friend to many whose lives she touched, and occasionally beat at bridge.

Born in Springfield, Missouri, September 23, 1933, during the Great Depression, Betty attended Springfield’s Central High School, where she was smitten by Don, her childhood sweetheart.

Beginning her nursing education at St. John’s School of Nursing in 1951 at the hospital’s original location on North Main Avenue, in 1952 she participated in the hospital’s relocation to its new facility at National Avenue and Sunshine Street, an experience she described as, “Glorious.”
After Betty’s nursing school graduation on September 2, 1954, and after having received her title of “Registered Nurse Licensed” (No. 30,181) on November 10, 1954, she continued her “hands-on” training at St. Louis City Hospital located just south of downtown.

Then, on the evening of March 20, 1955, she received word of American Airlines Flight 711 having crashed a quarter-mile short of the SGF airport. Don was on that flight.

Betty immediately took leave and boarded a bus for Springfield, not knowing his fate. Finally, she ascertained Don had survived and was in hospital at St. John’s.

[The following are Betty’s words recorded Thursday, November 14, 2024, as she described the situation]:

“The morning after the crash, I walked in, I’d been on the bus all night long, and mascara was all over my face. And here was this cute little nurse sitting on his bed, which shouldn’t have been, she shouldn’t have been sitting on his bed. But anyway, Don looked at me and he said, ‘Oh, honey, I’m so glad you’re here.’”

Eight months later, Betty and Don were married in Springfield, on December 2, 1955.

Betty’s nursing career continued for many years with her attaining Head Nurse status, and setting the bar for what a great “floor” should be. Starting with a very high level of expectation from her staff, to a professionalism from doctors (one of whom she made publicly apologize to everyone on the floor when Betty learned he’d made disparaging remarks), Betty’s commitment to excellence even impressed a doctor’s wife (also a nurse) who was a patient on her floor, and upon discharge said, “Betty, you and your staff have renewed my faith in the nursing profession!”

During this period, Don’s career also took off at the Dayco International Division with visiting clients from Japan, Denmark, Mexico, and West Germany, whom Betty entertained with aplomb at their home and throughout Springfield.

Jump ahead to January 1, 1993, her first day of retirement, and the beginning of a whole new phase in her life with Don. They traveled all over Europe, the United States, and Mexico, in an RV; toasted every evening at 5pm as “Happy Friday Night;” were members of both the Elks Club and Twin Oaks; plus attended special events on a regular basis, making the most of all that free time a cornerstone of their life.

A video tribute to the love between Don and Betty entitled “CLINK” can be found at:
https://portal.sato48.com/archive/2010/1962

Betty, always immaculately attired, was an Award Sponsor and Presenter at the SATO48 Recognition & Awards Ceremony red carpet celebration every year from 2006 until 2024! She was deemed, “The most glamorously dressed woman in Springfield,” by a former Executive Director of the Springfield Regional Arts Council.

One of Betty’s final gestures of generosity was procurement of a two-bedroom pied-à-terre on the beach in Hawaii for the family to enjoy during Missouri winters. She said, “I’d like to get you this as part of your inheritance so I can enjoy watching everyone stay there.” The family responded, “Let us think about it yes.”

Betty Louise Clinkenbeard was one of a kind who inspired many and will be remembered and loved by family and friends from all phases of her life.

Don’s tombstone is inscribed with four words that embody his life: Inventor, Mentor, Lover, Founder. Keeping up this family tradition for Betty brings us to these four words which will festoon her final resting place, next to Don: Mother, Healer, Lover, Glamour.

She excelled at them all!

Funeral Service:

Visitation
Greenlawn Funeral Home South
441 West Battlefield
Springfield, Missouri 65807
Friday 3/7, 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Service
Greenlawn Funeral Home South
441 West Battlefield
Springfield, Missouri 65807
Friday 3/7, 11:00 am

Cemetery
Missouri Veterans Cemetery
5201 S. Southwood Road
Springfield, Missouri 65804
Friday 3/7, 1:00 pm

Reception
Kyaw & Jeff Residence
2459 S. Brentwood Blvd
Springfield, Missouri 65804
Friday 2/7, 2:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
The OTC Foundation
Ozarks Technical Community College
1001 E. Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 447-2651

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