Bessie Bernadine (Spencer) Butterfield

Bessie Bernadine (Spencer) Butterfield, 85, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died July 24, 2011, at Cedar County Memorial Hospital.

As a mother, she left a legacy of honor, integrity, and a love for helping others. She was proud to be "a country girl."

She was born June 8, 1926, to Earnest and Ada Bell (Duff) Spencer. After growing up and graduating from Walker High School, she married Ernest Ellis Butterfield on April 28, 1945. To this union three sons were born: Fredrick Leon, James Dale and Ronald Dean.

Bessie B. was proud to be part of the original staff at Cedar County Hospital. She later worked at the shoe factory in town, as a dental assistant for Dr. Neale, and retired from Witt Printing. Her love of people led her into home health care. She enjoyed the grandchildren, yard work, and flowers.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Ernest in 1984; sons, Fred in 1989 and Jim in 2006; her sisters, Neoma Newkirk of Sacramento, Calif., and Donna Harms of British Columbia; brothers, Billy Spencer of Walker, Mo., and infant brother, Erick Eugene; and special friend, Elton Anders of Nevada in 2010.

Survivors include her youngest son, Ron and wife, Nancy, of Montgomery City, Mo., and their son Terry Walker and family of Box Elder, S.D.; two sisters, Mildred Haynes of Belton, Mo., and Ernestine Zaring of Wichita, Kan.; grandchildren, Jason Butterfield of Springfield, Mo., and Brandon, Erick, and Rachel Butterfield of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; great-grandchildren, Chance, Torrie and Gabe Butterfield, Rylan Coleman, and Brooke, Tyler and Jackson Walker; daughter-in-law, Sharon Butterfield; special friends, Misty Butterfield, Lana Wilson and Michelle Mann-Nelson; and best friend and "running buddy," Mickey Mitts.

Memorial services for Bessie Butterfield will be held on Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m., at Bland-Hackleman Chapel in El Dorado Springs, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to High Hopes and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left on our Web site at www.blandhackleman.com