Betty Marie Wagner was born on the Wagner farm near Garden City, Missouri on November 18, 1925. Her mother, Alma Paulsen Wagner, passed away when she was only six years old. Her father, Sargent Willis Wagner, joined together with his brother, Henry Ross Wagner, and his sister, Lucy Mabel Wagner, to raise Betty, her brother, Emil Willis Wagner, and their cousin, Lucy Elizabeth Wagner (Ross’ daughter).
After receiving her teaching certificate from Central Missouri State, Betty taught for three years in Cass County and in New Mexico, but she soon realized God had something else in mind for her. She returned to Kansas City to work with Sears, and five years later began her career with the Baptist Bookstore (now Lifeway), where she worked for more than forty years, retiring as an assistant manager in 1990. Betty served for many years as librarian at Maywood Baptist Church, where she was a member until her death.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her brother. She is survived by her cousin, Lucy, as well as by three nieces, Olivia Wagner Wakefield, Emily Kay Wagner, and Martha Beth Wagner; two grand-nieces, Natalie Wakefield Farris and Allison Wagner Wakefield; and two second cousins, Nancy Ann White and Margie Janice Gray.
Donations may be made to Maywood Baptist Church, Independence, Missouri, or to the Missouri Baptist Homes.
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