Betty J. Staton

Betty was born on June 30, 1929, to Guy and Lora Murphy. Betty was the oldest child and had four younger siblings. She grew up in Smithville, Missouri.

In 1949, Betty married Don Staton. During their 56 years of marriage, they traveled to all 50 states and went on at least 35 cruises. They spent their weekends enjoying their cruiser at the Lake of the Ozarks. Betty was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Betty and Don would travel with friends in their motorhome while attending 40/8 Conventions. In their later years, they traveled to Arizona each winter. Betty and Don owned several poodles, and they loved having them travel with them.

Betty worked at Southwestern Bell for thirty-nine years, nine months, and nine days. After retiring, she put in over 50,000 volunteer hours at the Telephone Pioneers making pillows and bears for Cancer Action.

Betty loved traveling and attending day trips with the Gladstone Senior group. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, gardening, puzzles, and flowers. She loved watching game shows on TV, drinking coffee, and eating sweets. She loved candy! Betty loved her cockatoo, Toby. She loved NASCAR and cheering for Jeff Gordon. Don and Betty attended the Daytona 500 for at least ten years. She was happy when Kyle Busch did not win and even happier when he didn’t finish a race.

Betty was able to live in her home until March 2023, when she was moved, to Benton House Assisted Living in Blue Springs before her transfer to the Villages of Jackson Creek Memory Care in Independence.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents, Guy and Lora Murphy; sister, Donna O’Connor; brother, Gary Murphy; and great granddaughter, Hannah Tharp.

Survivors include her daughters, Karla (Ron) Hammontree and Joanna Brasher (Barry Kastel); brothers, Perry (Barbara) Murphy and Dwaine Murphy; sister-in-law, Connie Murphy; grandchildren, David (Brandee) Hammontree, Rhonda (Craig) Tharp, great grandchildren,

Luke Hammontree, Brett (Abby) Tharp, Abigail (Austin) Carter, Haley Tharp, Lily Tharp; niece, Linda (Dennis) Lengyel; and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, great grandma, aunt, and friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A visitation for Betty will be held Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119. A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, January 5 at 11:00 AM at Newcomer's White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119. A Committal Service will follow at 12:00 PM at White Chapel Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Specialized Home Care and Hospice (3211 Redwood Ave Suite B, Independence, Missouri 64057) or Villages of Jackson Creek Memory Care (3980 S Jackson Dr., Independence, Missouri 64057).