Betty Dodson

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Betty Leggett Dodson went to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the age of 88. Betty Jean was born July 28, 1935, near Galesburg, Missouri, to Henry and Marthel (Landes) Leggett. 

After attending a one-room grade school at Medoc and Galesburg, she graduated from Alba High School in 1953. 

Betty married her high school sweetheart, James (Jim) Dodson on May 30, 1954, in Purcell, Missouri. They moved to New Orleans, where Jim was stationed in the Navy on a Destroyer Escort. They lived in the Webb City / Galesburg area until January 1966, when they moved to Neosho where they lived for many years. 

Betty spent several years as a secretary and was employed by Louisiana Power and Light, Ruyle and Sims, Collins, Webster and Rouse, Wilcox and Guillory, Red Carpet, and Neosho High School. She was an active 4-H Leader for the Jaybird 4-H Club for fifteen years, teaching many girls how to sew and knit. She served as President of the Newton County Extension Council and also worked as Youth Assistant with the University of Missouri Extension Center. Betty loved her family and always enjoyed hosting family get togethers. 

She is survived by two daughters, Judy (Gary) Hendricks of Neosho and Amy (Mike) Mann of Joplin; one son, Randy (Lori) Dodson of Granby; six grandchildren, Jeff (Jennifer) Eldridge of Springfield, Megan Eldridge of Joplin, Cody (Shannon) Dodson of Neosho, Danielle Dodson and husband, Matt of Granby, Christina (Jeffrey) Taylor of Port Orchard, WA and Steven Mann of Joplin; ten great-grandchildren, Essence, Karly, Makynna, Beckett, Jaxon, Chason, Amelia, Daisy, JJ and Adrienne. Also surviving are two sisters, Shirley Kaufman of Columbia and Mary Allen Rippy of Joplin; one brother, Don (Jayne) Leggett of Webb City and many nieces and nephews. 

Betty Jean is preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Jim; her parents, Henry and Marthel; granddaughter, Jessica and great-grandson, Kason. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 2 pm at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. Interment will follow in the Neosho IOOF Cemetery. The family will receive friends at a time of visitation Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7 pm at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to the Neosho United Methodist Church, Neosho, Missouri.