Betty Gene (Kuykendall) Austin, age 93 years and 10 months, was born in Fontain, Ark. on May 22, 1930, to Scott and Hattie (Spicer) Kuykendall. One of seven children, Betty grew up on a plantation in Arkansas where her father was a sharecropper and her mother cared for elderly parents, raised the children and played piano at the local church.
Betty married the love of her life at 16, and married Odell Austin on Oct. 3, 1946. To this union three children were born, Marydell, John and Caroline. Together they farmed in Arkansas and moved to Chicago, Ill. where she worked in a factory while Odell laid brick and milked cows for hire. They returned to Arkansas for a few years before following their dreams and moving to Upton, Mo. to purchase a dairy farm in 1964.
Betty worked tirelessly beside Odell in the fields, whether crops in Arkansas or hay on the dairy. She was proud of her job mowing hay, a job she was very good at. She was an avid gardener and loved raising heirloom tomatoes and canning.
After retiring from the dairy, Betty and Odell discovered dancing- two-step, waltz, square dancing, and jig dancing. Traveling frequently to local spots and to Arkansas and Louisiana for music and dancing.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, and one brother. Also waiting in heaven for her is William “Odell” Austin, her husband of 60 years; one daughter, Marydell; her only grandson, Randy; and her daughter-in-law, Virginia Austin.
Betty is survived by two children, John Austin and Caroline Austin of the home, who cared for her in her final years; as well as, seven beautiful granddaughters of whom she was so proud, Labetha (Combs) McGinnis of Springfield, Naara (Combs) Kean and husband, Roger of Springfield, Erin (Combs) Martin and husband, Brian of Springfield, Jackie Austin of California, MO, Deanna Cornett of Springfield, Cheryl Evans of Clever, MO, and Susan Byrd and husband, Daniel of Canby, CA; 20 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Betty shared her faith with her children and raised them very well. Marydell was an overseas missionary for 50 years, John as a church deacon, and Caroline as a nurse for 25 years and ordained minister. She loved her sons-in-law like her own. Heaven is sweeter, but you will be missed terribly.
A visitation for Betty was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 at Evans Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 4 at Evans Funeral Home with Rev. Phillip Combs officiating. Interment followed at Rock Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers were Phillip Kean, Brian Martin, Roger Kean, Joseph Martin, Daniel Byrd, Killian McGinnis and Michael Kean. Arrangements entrusted to Evans Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in Betty’s name may be made to Rock Springs Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.evansfh.com.