Betty Jane Blythe

She was born on May 16, 1932, in the town of Wilton, Mo., in southern Boone County. Her parents were Ross Nowlin and Lola Catherine (Sapp) Glascock. She was the youngest of five children, having three older sisters and one older brother. Much of her early life was spent on the family farm near Wilton.

She began exchanging letters with a local boy in the U.S. Army, who was stationed in Germany. Her life-long love with Noel Edward “Ed” Blythe began. On March 12, 1954, they were married at Goshen Primitive Baptist Church in Wilton. The union of Ed and Betty lasted over 50 years and produced three sons: Noel Blythe Jr., Kendall Blythe, and Paul Blythe.

Betty spent most of her time as a homemaker, raising their three boys. Her family was what was most important to her. One of the ways she expressed her love was in all the ways she made all kinds of clothes for her sons and grandchildren, making baby clothes, maternity clothes and suits.

But most of all, Betty carried on a family tradition as a quilter! It was rare when she didn’t have a quilt in her frames that she was piecing. And many of these she would then hand quilt. Easily she quilted over 100 quilts in all kinds of sizes, materials, and styles.

Betty naturally became active in the Piecemakers ministry when she joined First Baptist Church. There she lent her talents and skills in making quilts to be distributed to people in need.

Betty also took time out for recreation. She was an avid bowler, spending Thursday afternoons at Westgate Lanes in the Kitchen Executives League. She was also a rabid St. Louis Cardinals’ fan, catching them on TV every chance she could. And when baseball season was over, she marked the time before the next spring training game by watching the Hallmark Channel.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ed, her parents, Ross and Lola, and all four of her siblings.

She is survived by her three sons, Noel E. Blythe, Jr. and wife Debbie, of Holts Summit, Mo., Kendall E. Blythe and wife Rhonda, of Holts Summit, Mo. and Paul E. Blythe with wife Jody, of Columbia, Mo. In addition, she is survived by eight grandchildren: Edward Blythe and wife Tammie of Odessa, Mo., James Blythe and wife Michelle of Boonville, Mo., Ashley Triplett and husband Matt of Carmi, Ill., Jon Blythe and wife Tonya of Kansas City, Mo., Kyle Smarr and wife Brittany of Columbia, Mo., Joshua Blythe of Kansas City, Mo., Ross Blythe and wife Kara, of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Brianne Blythe of Columbia, Mo. She is also survived by 9 great-grandsons and 8 great-granddaughters, ranging in age from 17 to 1 year old. And in addition, she is survived by many nephews and nieces who also loved their “Aunt Jane.”

Visitation will be Friday June 19, 2026, at First Baptist Church, (301 E Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101), on June 19, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

A Celebration of Life will take place at First Baptist Church, (301 E Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101), on June 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM. After a family dinner at the church, there will be a private graveside service in Holts Summit, Mo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Piecemaker’s Quilting Ministry at First Baptist Church, (301 East Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101).