Dale and Betty Spencer

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Our beloved parents Dale L. Spencer, 88, and Betty J. Spencer, 88, passed on from this life on November 30, 2025. Their love story spanned seven decades, so it is only fitting they left this world together.

Dale was born October 1, 1937 in Reeds, Missouri to Basil Lewis and Christine May Spencer. Betty was born November 11, 1937 in Reeds, Missouri to Cecil Harley and Violet Belle Henry. Dale and Betty attended Sarcoxie High School where they became high school sweethearts, graduating in 1955. Dale liked to say that Betty graduated at the top of the class and he brought up the bottom. After high school, Betty worked at Chapman and Folmers in Avilla for a year before she and Dale married on June 30, 1956. Dale served in the National Guard for several years until their children came along. They moved to the Stotts City farm in 1958 where they lived for the rest of their lives. 

Dale and Betty owned a family dairy operation and built a grade A dairy barn on the farm in 1966. They maintained a 100% registered Holstein herd. Dale milked and took care of the hay and crops while Betty handled the bookkeeping, registrations, and all the other paperwork for the farm. To their union four children were born: Kelly Dale in 1958, Kristi Belle in 1960, Karla Jo in 1963 and Kyle Lewis in 1966. After Kyle went off to college, Betty began working at Wal- Mart in Monett in the sporting goods and automotive department, working there for more than 20 years.

Upon retiring from the dairy, Dale and Kelly began doing custom farm work together. Having a bit more free time, they began getting involved in tractor pulling, a hobby they both enjoyed. Dale was a member of the Spring River Tractor Pulling Association for many years. Betty enjoyed attending the tractor pulls and videoing as many as she could for Dale and others to watch during the off season. Dale and Betty also enjoyed RV traveling for many years, often taking their grandchildren. They visited many state and national parks across the United States. Spending time with their grandchildren, and more recently their great-grandchildren, was one of their great joys in life.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; son Kelly Spencer; and brothers Parker and Russell Spencer. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son Kelly Spencer; brother Leon Henry; and sister Charlotte Jones. They are dearly missed by daughters Kristi Blevins (Roger) and Karla Deaver (Ken), both of Stotts City; and son Kyle (Lisa) of Kansas City; seven grandchildren: Heather (Hiep) Nguyen; Lacy (Randy) Walters; Morgan (Tyler) Sekula; Casey Blevins, Cory Blevins, Westin Spencer and Addison Spencer; and five great-grandchildren; Brooks and Brecken Wonder, Maddux and Maverick Walters and Poppy Nguyen. Betty is also survived by brother Ray Henry; sisters Kay Dunn and Donna Parker. Dale and Betty are also survived by many special nieces and nephews and were very fond of their extended family. 

Visitation will be held Monday, December 8 from 5 to 7 pm at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City. Funeral services will be held December 9 at 10 am at Stotts City Baptist Church with burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross.

Dale and Betty spent their entire adult lives together and have left an incredible legacy of enduring love, guidance and quiet wisdom, and their example lives on in the hearts of their loved ones.