Betty Ann Small

Betty Small, 89, of Lebo, Kansas, died Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Neodesha, Kansas, Wilson Medical Center.

Betty Small was born Elizabeth Ann Johns on January 20, 1934, to Walter and Emma (Cook) Johns on their family farm in Reading, Kansas. Betty graduated from Reading High School and married Donald Small on August 31, 1952. She then traveled with him to San Antonio, Texas, and Fairbanks, Alaska, during his Air Force service. They returned to Kansas, bought a farm, and had three girls - Sherie, Terri, and Tammy.

Betty worked at the Reading State Bank for over 25 years. She helped with farming by doing chores, taking meals to the fields and eventually driving the tractor to prepare the fields for planting. Betty still found time to be active in the Lebo Methodist Church’s UMW, choir, and chimes. She also was a member of the Lebo American Legion Auxiliary, Red Hatter’s, Lebo Choralaire’s, Senior Citizens Club, Just for Fun Pinochle, Bridge Club, and Golden Heart Exercise. Betty was a much-loved, active member of her community.

Betty was a wonderful mother and grandma. She adored her three great-granddaughters, and they adored her. She liked nothing better than to watch them play, even if many times it had to be through FaceTime.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Sherie (Frank) Wilks of Naperville, Illinois, Terri (Howard) Schlange of Independence, Kansas, and Tammy Bittinger of Edmond, Oklahoma; granddaughter Elizabeth (Daniel) Pollock of Aurora, Illinois; grandsons Andrew Wilks of Naperville, Illinois, and Eric (Tayler) Schlange of Independence, Kansas; great-granddaughters Cordelia and Audrielle Pollock of Aurora, Illinois, and Kolbi Schlange of Independence, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her husband on February 6, 2002; her parents Walter and Emma Johns; brother Roy Johns; and grandson Patrick Schlange.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, November 27, 2023, at the Lebo United Methodist Church. Pastor Lori Schwilling will officiate. Inurnment will be at the Arvonia Cemetery in Arvonia, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Lebo United Methodist Church and sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. Box #43, Lebo, Kansas 66856. condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.