Obituary of Betty J. Tapley

Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes Phone 573-898-2181 / Fax 573-898-3148 Newspaper Notice of Death Betty Jean Tapley Funeral services for Betty Jean Tapley of Elsberry, MO were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 10, 2005 at Star Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry. Rev. Allen Calkins and Rev. Raymond Doussard officiated with burial in Star Hope Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Charles Johnson, Shannon Johnson, Erin Tapley, Eric Tapley, Matt Tapley and Donnie Tapley; and honorary pallbearers were Gary Hudnall and Bill Owens. Mrs. Tapley, 76, passed away Wednesday morning, September 7, 2005 at her home in Elsberry. Born January 6, 1929 in Hannibal, MO, she was the daughter of the late Elmo Tinsley and Alma Elizabeth Havener Howerton. She was a 1947 graduate of Hannibal High School. She was united in marriage on December 4, 1947 in Hannibal to Donald Eugene Tapley. Although she would consider her primary job a wife, mother and homemaker, she was employed for several years at Elsberry Flower Shoppe and later Custom Design Flower Shop. Mrs. Tapley was a member of the Star Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry. Besides her parents, Elmo and Alma Howerton, she was preceded in death by one brother, David Howerton; one granddaughter, Amy Hudnall Silotto on January 29, 1998; and her beloved husband of 52 years, Don Tapley who died January 11, 2000. Survivors include four children: Donald Dean Tapley and his wife, Rita, of Elsberry, Carol Diane Hudnall and her husband, Gary, of Elsberry, Dane H. Tapley and his wife, Gina, of Elsberry, and Donna Jean Owens and her husband, Bill, of Clarksville, MO. She also leaves twelve grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation was held from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Friday, September 9, 2005 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to Star Hope Baptist Church or St. Jude's Children's Hospital in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.