Betty Ralston Bruton passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of October 26, 2016 in Springfield, Missouri with her son Richard Bruton, granddaughter Lisa Bowman and grandson Jim Bruton by her side.
A lifelong resident of Springfield, Betty was born March 7, 1922. As a child, she lived on Elm Street, attending Greenwood Training School, Springfield High School and Southwest Missouri State Teachers College.   Betty married James William (Bill) Bruton, Jr. in 1940.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Charles Arthur and Eloise Ralston and her dear sister Joan South. Also preceding her in death was her loving husband James William (Bill) Bruton, Jr., her son James William (Jim) Bruton III (Phyllis) and her second husband Carl Ketchum.
Betty is survived by her devoted children Helen von Buxhoeveden (Hans) of Chesterfield, Missouri, Janet Walpert (Bill), Twinsburg, Ohio, and Richard Bruton, Springfield. Betty is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Laura Timbrook (Jonathan Miller), Lisa Bowman (Gerry), Tyson von Buxhoeveden (Monica), Julie Patrick (Jeff), James William Bruton IV, and the two youngest grandchildren Eloise and Oscar Bruton, who provided so much joy in her last years. Betty is also survived by her great grandchildren Taylor and Will Bowman, Jamie and Brittani Bruton and her nieces and nephews.
While most of Betty's life was spent at her beautiful home on University Street, lovingly raising her children, she instilled in her family a deep sense of tradition based upon her family's southern roots. Betty would regale family and friends with stories from Bayside Plantation on the Bayou Teche in Louisiana, passed down to her from her beloved mother Eloise McBride Ralston and grandmother Eloise Richardson McBride ("Muddy").
Betty was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church from an early age, enjoying her ties to the church and the Wedding Ring Sunday School class. She loved hosting neighborhood parties in the halcyon days of her University Heights neighborhood. Betty was an exceptional bridge enthusiast, regularly playing with her friends well into her eighties. Moreover, she was a talented pianist and enjoyed playing for family and friends.
Betty and her husband Bill were an exceedingly popular and stylish couple in their youth, often seen on the dance floor, winning many dance competitions. They made a sophisticated and dashing couple in 1940's Springfield.
In her later years, some of her fondest hours were spent on her porch in the cool of a summer's evening, watching her young grandchildren Eloise and Oscar chase fireflies. Betty will be profoundly missed by so many who loved her vibrant and gentle spirit.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 30, 2016 from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 1 at Maple Park Cemetery, 300 W. Grand Street, Springfield.