Betty June McClendon

Betty June Heflin was born on June 22, 1933, to Fred E. Heflin and Mattie V. Roderick Heflin in Arlington, Missouri. She attended school in Arlington and Newburg. Betty accepted Christ as her Savior when she was 12 years old at New Home Baptist Church in Newburg, Missouri. She spent many happy years growing up with her brother and sisters. On July 8, 1949, she married Billy G. McClendon of Dixon, Missouri. They were married in Pocahontas, Arkansas, and celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last July. During the early years of their marriage they had two daughters, Linda and Mary. After her children were raised, she became a cook for the Dixon School System and later for the Dixon Senior Citizens Center. She was known for her homemade dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls; she never failed to draw a dinner crowd. Her hobbies included singing, playing piano, sewing, and playing a mean game of dominoes. Betty’s focus her entire life was her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her greatest delight was cooking for her family, and her specialty was preparing Sunday dinner for every member of the family who could make the weekly gathering. When her husband broke his hip in July 2007, their lives changed. Billy experienced a series of health problems that caused him to need 24-hour care. Even though he had to live at the Richland Care Center, Betty went to see him every day. That was quite a feat for a person with COPD, but she managed. Earlier this year, her health began to decline forcing her to limit her visits to the Care Center. In August of this year, she decided to move to the Care Center as well in order to spend more time with her husband. This was a difficult decision for her because she loved her home. Betty passed away at the Ozark Community Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, on Sunday, December 26, 2010. Betty had a million-dollar smile and a healing touch; she leaves a gap that no one else can fill in her family. She will be greatly missed by her husband, Billy; her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Dave Paddock of Richland; her granddaughter Debra Paddock of Jacksonville Beach, Florida; her grandson and his wife, Jeffrey and Misty Paddock and their son, Hunter, all of Richland; her granddaughter and her husband Peggy and Sam Ligo and their sons, Adam and David of Fort Leonard Wood. Betty was preceded in death by her mother, father, brother, and three sisters. She also leaves to mourn her passing a sister, Margie Kindle, of Doolittle, a brother-in-law, John McClendon of Crocker, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 29, 2010 in the Memorial Chapel of Richland with Pastor Dwain Carter officiating. Music selections included “Amazing Grace” and “I Can Only Imagine”. Serving as escorts were James Clark, Brady Brown, Dwain Carter, Matthew Campbell, Jason Shelton and Tony Claar. Honorary escorts were Dave Paddock, Jeffrey Paddock, Sam Ligo and Gary Paddock. Burial followed in the Pisgah Cemetery, Dixon, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland.

Betty June McClendon

June 22, 1933 - December 26, 2010