Betty Jo Lathrop

Betty Jo Lathrop was born April 30, 1929, to James Murvy and Mildred Combs Wilson in Polk County near Aldrich, Mo. Betty passed away Nov. 12, 2018, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., after a short illness.

As a young woman Betty began working at Big Smith Factory in Lamar, Mo., where she proved to be an accomplished seamstress, specializing in zippers. On Nov. 14, 1951 she married H.C. “Shorty” Lathrop in Bentonville, Ark. While Shorty was in the service, Betty maintained the farm and milked the cows by hand. She was a full-time homemaker and mother. She then began a career in the Wal-Mart jewelry department in Lamar until her retirement in 1992. She took great pride in her garden, canning, home cooked meals, to which anyone who showed up was invited to partake, and her cream pies. Shorty and Betty Jo celebrated their 66th anniversary before his passing. To this union five children were born. Some of Betty’s greatest memories were spending time with friends and family!

Betty Jo was active member of the First Baptist Church, Lamar, Mo., and the Naomi Sunday School Class, active in the Sheldon Jolly Senior Citizens and avid supporters and honorees of the Sheldon Picnic.

Betty Jo leaves behind three sons, Gene (Sandy) Lathrop, Lamar, J.D (Cindy) Lathrop, Nevada, and Charles (Angie) Lathrop, Irwin; two daughters, Barbara (David) Thrasher, Lamar, and Kathy (Robert) Clampett, Statesboro, Ga.; grandchildren, Ronnie, Lana, Lance, Skyler, Travis, Kyle, Phil, Brent, Tai, and Donovan; 22 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Shorty; her parents; two brothers, James and Billy Wilson; and a grandson, Donald Gene Lathrop.

A funeral Sservice will be 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 16, at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow in Sheldon Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at the Funeral Home.

Contributions are suggested to Sheldon Cemetery Association in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.