Betty Ann Burford, 99, of Sedalia, died Sunday, December 6, 2020 at her home.
A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 14, 2020 at Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Dennis Harper officiating. Friends may sign the guestbook from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday December 10th and Friday December 11th at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wesley United Methodist Church, 1322 W. Broadway Blvd. Sedalia, MO 65301.
She was born March 28, 1921, at Maywood Hospital in Sedalia, daughter of the late Benjamin F. and Edna (Rutledge) Smith. On October 30, 1940, at the parsonage of the Fifth Street Methodist Church, she was united in marriage by Reverend Campbell to Harry Lee Burford, who preceded her in death on April 4, 2005 after 65 years of marriage.
Mrs. Burford was raised and educated in Sedalia. She attended Broadway School and was a 1939 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School. Betty worked in retail in downtown Sedalia and was employed at Scotts Dollar Store. During World War II, Betty rolled bandages beginning a 70-plus year volunteer career with the American Red Cross. In 2014, she was recognized for 42 years of service as a Red Cross volunteer at Bothwell Regional Health Center and received the President’s Volunteer Award for lifetime achievement of 4,000 volunteer hours. She also volunteered at Open Door and Meals on Wheels. She also collected school supplies and would deliver them to the children in her neighborhood and would take meals to neighbors or to anyone in need.
Betty was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years. She was a member of the Garden Club and the United Methodist Women and served as an officer. While her children were young, she served in PTA and was a Girl Scout leader. She and her husband enjoyed square dancing. Betty was fond of her cats and was known as “Grandma B” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include, two children, Barbara Berkstresser (Don) of Lee’s Summit, and Harry B. Burford of Sedalia; three grandchildren, Jamie (Jay), Jason (Tracye) and Neil (So); six great-grandchildren, Brittany (Preston), Amanda, Katelyn (Quintin), Ashlyn, Garett (Esther) and Leo; and two great-great-grandchildren Tyson and August.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother Eugene Robert Smith.