Betty June Booth born at home in Hartville, MO on June 11, 1933 to Homer and Grace Rippee. She was the only girl of seven kids. She was raised on the farm where she learned to love animals and how to plant and garden. If you knew her well, you knew she loved to spoil her animals, from bringing baby goats in the house, running all over town to replace her daughter’s baby ducks, even her lap dog Gidget.

She has had such a green thumb she could grow pretty much anything. Some of her favorites were transplants from her family in Texas and Arkansas, banana trees and phlox. Because she had such a love of gardening, she joined the Water garden Society and created an oasis in her and Larry’s backyard. They were a part of the water garden tour for 4-5 years, where they were in the top 5 voted prettiest gardens.

June had many activities and hobbies that she took part in to keep herself busy. June was involved with the Business and Professional Women’s Organization for several years to encourage young professional women to be a part of their communities. She had a group of Red Hat Ladies that did shows in Branson and luncheons, and frequented tea rooms. She was a Voting Supervisor and she assisted in many local and Presidential elections. She enjoyed bowling with family and friends for several years, where she had several 200 score games. She loved to travel for family vacations, some of her favorite trips were, Mt. Rushmore, The Bad Lands, and Hawaii, where she took her first cruise. Some other trips were taken to see family down in Texas, where she loved going to the beach to feed her favorite seagulls Cheetos by hand.

The one that was most dear to her was her volunteer work with Cox Health Information Desk and Gift Shop. She started her volunteer work with them in 2008 and continued through spring of 2022. She then logged more than 12,450 hours and was a Presidential Points of Light Award recipient.

June met her future husband, Larry, when her and her friend Kara were cruising the Fishers Hi-Boy Drive In. They later married on April 15, 1962. They welcomed daughter Dara in August 1963, and Tara in January 1966.

June worked as a Lab Tech for 17 years in Springfield, MO at Park Central Hospital, until her and Larry bought Booth’s Solo Market in July 1977. Together they also managed two self-serve laundry mats until they retired in 1999 to become full time grandparents to two granddaughters and great grandchildren.

Survived by brother Rex Rippee of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, daughter Tara Dorsey (Brian) of Springfield, MO, granddaughters Danielle Ziverk (Sean) and Nicole Dorsey (Jordan) of Springfield, MO, and great grandchildren Logan and Addison Ziverk and Ella Dorsey of Springfield MO. And countless other nieces and nephews and close family and friends.

Preceded in death by former husband Larry, daughter Dara, parents Homer and Grace (Carter), brothers Guy, Kermit, Bert, Don, and Jay.

We would like to send a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Mercy Springfield Stepdown Unit 4D to making June’s passing easier for all of our family.