Nov. 14, 1921-July 7, 2024

Betty Jane Wilson of Brookfield passed away peacefully July 7, 2024, at age 102. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at Wright Funeral Home, Brookfield, with a celebration of life at 11. Betty was born Nov. 14, 1921, on the Grubbs’ family farm in Rothville to James and Esther (Mauzey) Grubbs. Her mother and sister succumbed to influenza in 1923, leaving Betty to be reared by her father and eventually her second mother, Lucretia (Morrow) Grubbs. She also was nurtured by the “Grubbs Girls” – Ellen, Naomi, Ruth and Orpha. She loved telling stories of the time spent at the homes of her grandparents, C.K. (Charlie) Mauzey and his wife Claude (Riddell) Mauzey; and Sterling Price and Minnie (Green) Riddell.

After a surgery at age 12, Betty was left profoundly deaf and attended the Fulton School for the Deaf, where she learned lip-reading skills and how to care for her hearing aid.

In 1939, Betty graduated from Rothville High School and soon enrolled and graduated from the Missouri School of Beauty Culture in Kirksville. With her diploma in hand, she moved to Kansas City to live with her aunt, Ellen Floyd, and to work as a hair stylist and secretary.

In 1945, she married Bill Wilson. The couple lived in her husband’s home state of Louisiana for the next four years. In April 1949, they relocated back to her roots of Mauzey Lake Farm and Granddaddy Mauzey. In September, they welcomed their daughter, Sandra Gayle.

For the next 10 years, Betty busied herself with a farm life of gardening, canning, sewing and helping with 4-H projects. She was an avid reader and active in the Rothville Baptist Church, Eastern Star and Tourist Club. Her love of decorating led her to changing her home decor seasonally.

A month after the death of her grandfather in November 1959, the family moved to Brookfield. Betty moved her membership to the Park Baptist Church and enjoyed her activities in the Hannah Hull Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She continued her love of decorating, fashion, painting classes and traveling as often as possible to live musical productions at Starlight Theater in Kansas City. In March 1962, her son William Charles (Chuck) was born.

Preceding her in death were her husband; siblings, Norma Gardner, Christine Benson and James (Jimmy) Grubbs; and her loving cousin, Marie Riddell.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Gayle (Greg) Johnson; and son, Chuck (Darlene) Wilson. Other survivors include her granddaughters, Ceirney Wilson and Amy (Jeff) Stanfield; grandsons, Caleb (Megan) Wilson and Bret (Tina) Johnson; great-granddaughter; and six greatgrandsons.

Betty’s favorite color was red. In her honor, feel free to wear brightly colored clothing to her celebration.

Betty led a Christian life and showed unselfish love and kindness toward all. She will be so missed for her smile; laughter; warm, loving hugs; and blowing kisses!

In lieu of flowers, your donation to Betty’s granddaughter Ceirney, who has Rett Syndrome, will be used for her continued care and appreciated more than you will ever know. Please make your check payable to Gayle Johnson and mail it to 1306 Jill Lane; Excelsior Springs, MO 64024.