Betty Jane Griffith

Betty J. (Page) Griffith, age 87, of Independence, Missouri passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

She was born August 5, 1936 at home on a farm in Springfield, Missouri. She was the youngest child of ten born to Amon and Rowena Page.  She attended school at Central High School in Springfield, Missouri.

Betty met the love of her life, Ellery, after he was discharged from the U.S. Army and came to Missouri for a visit. After a three-month whirlwind romance they were married and remained madly in love for 65 years. Two children were born as a result of this union.

Betty was a charter member of the East Independence Church of Christ where she served the Lord faithfully in many capacities, including teaching elementary and junior high school classes for many years.

Betty retired from the Independence School District in 2000 after 36 years of service as a nutrition manager. She was a member and served as President of the Jackson County School Food Association, and was a member of the Missouri School Food Service Association and the American School Food Service Association. She served as Recording Secretary for the board of the Local 93 UAW Retirees. She also volunteered as a Youth Friend for the Independence School District for 10 years.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, five brothers, four sisters and one grandson. She is survived by a daughter, Rowena Griffith; and a son, Ellery Griffith, Jr. (Teresa); seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the East Independence Church of Christ located at 2020 South 291 Highway, Independence, Missouri at 9 am with a memorial service to immediately follow at 11 am. A graveside service will be held at the Selmore Baptist Church cemetery in Ozark, Missouri on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to the scholarship fund at Music/Arts Institute (1010 S Pearl St, Independence, Missouri 64050).