Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Lewis

Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Lewis, 87, of Nevada, Mo., passed away peacefully on June 26, 2015, with her family at her side. She was born Oct. 22, 1927, in Kansas City, Mo., to Charles and Elizabeth Culley. She spent much of her childhood in the Lexington, Mo., area where she graduated from high school. After college, she was employed at the Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo. In 1948, she married I. Dean Lewis. His job required multiple transfers throughout Missouri with stops in Warrensburg, Raytown, Trenton, Lee's Summit, and Nevada. Even with all these moves, she and Dean were able to raise two sons, Chuck and Paul. Their lives revolved around church, school, scouting and volunteer activities. After Dean's retirement, their lives were full of traveling, including Europe and annual winter trips to Padre Island, Texas and doting on their three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was well recognized in each community for her green thumb with flowers, her wonderful cooking ability and for her abundant volunteer work. The cookie jar and the candy dishes were always full and the flower beds were always blooming.

She was preceded in death by both parents; her brothers, Harry Lee Stone, Donald Culley, James Culley; and her sister, Mary McGinnis. She is survived by her husband, of the home; sons, Chuck Lewis and wife, Lisa, of Lee's Summit, Mo., and Paul and wife, Stacey, of Nevada, Mo.; brothers, Richard Stone, of Independence, Mo., and George Stone, of Green Valley, Ariz.; along with three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services are scheduled at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, with the Rev. Greg Ferree officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service with the family to receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, prior to the service.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Nevada, Mo., CCPA (Community Council of the Performing Arts) or to the Vernon County Cancer Relief Fund in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.