Obituary of Betty Jane Harding

Funeral Services for Betty Jane Harding of Elsberry, MO will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Nathan Adams, pastor of New Life Christian Church in Eolia, MO, will officiate with burial in New Hope Cemetery near Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Harding, Scott Harding, Bobby Harding, Jason Harding, John Harding, Kevin Hunter and Darryl Hunter. Honorary pallbearers will be Marion Harding and Gene Hunter. Mrs. Harding, 86, passed away Thursday morning, February 2, 2023, at SSM St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis, MO. Born June 8, 1936 in Clarksville, MO, she was the daughter of Melcher Merle and Waivie Hubbard Busch. Betty was united in marriage on October 18, 1952 in the New Hope Community near Elsberry to James William Harding. This union was blessed with six children: Michael James, Marion Merle, John Mitchell, Melcher William, Mark Anthony and Patricia June. Betty cleaned various homes in the area and also as a janitor for the Bank of Lincoln County, retiring in 2019. She was a member of New Life Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melcher and Waivie Busch; her beloved husband of 40 years, James Harding, who died on January 18, 1993; and their children: Michael Harding, Marion Harding, John Harding, Melcher “Mick” Harding, Mark Hardingand Patricia Parsons. Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Linda Harding of Eolia; several grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Betty is also survived by her special friend: Tommy Hunter of Elsberry; dear loved ones who she watched and cared for over the years: Kade Omahundro of Paynesville, MO and Marcia Elliott of Elsberry; one sister, Mary Ann Turnbough of Bowling Green, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Services at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to New Life Christian Church in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.