Betty Lou Maffett

Betty Lou Maffett, 74, Fort Scott, Kan., formerly of Bronaugh, Mo., died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at Guest Home Estates in Fort Scott, Kan. She was born Sept. 4, 1937, in Moundville, Mo., to John F. Saathoff and Ruth I. Carr Saathoff. She was married April 10, 1955, in Bronaugh, Mo., to Earl R. Maffett and he preceded her in death Aug. 2, 2006.

Mrs. Maffett was born in Moundville, Mo., at the telephone switchboard operator's home, where her mother worked. She graduated from Bronaugh R-7 high school, and attended Fort Scott Community College and Cottey College in Nevada. Betty Lou was involved in PTO activities, was a band mother, 4-H leader, and Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed drawing and painting and art in all its forms, and was an avid bird watcher. She spent many hours researching genealogy. Poetry and music were lifelong loves, and in between pages of her books, can still be found an impromptu prose.

Betty Lou inherited a sense of humor that often lent itself to smoothing out life's rough edges. Her family was her greatest love. She leaves many memories in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Memories of adventures and sleep-overs, and loving care, will never be forgotten. Always proudly displayed for all to see, were pictures of her expanding family.

Survivors include three children, Linda Woody and her husband, Mike, Carthage, Mo., Larry Maffett and his wife, Alice, Redfield, Kan., and Bill Maffett, Bronaugh, Mo.; five grandchildren, Cherie Howerton and her husband, Brett, Carthage, Mo., Grant Woody and his fiancé, Jennifer Tanner, Joplin, Mo., James Woody, Carthage, Mo., Heather Morcum and her husband, John, Fort Scott, Kan., Amber Kerr, Redfield, Kan.; four great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; one sister, Mary Sue Mancuso, Kansas City, Mo.; and nephews, John and Mike Mancuso.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 23, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan.

Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, and the family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, Jan. 22, between 5 and 6 p.m.

Contributions may be made to the Bronaugh Scholarship Fund in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com