Betty (Great Gran) Downs was born February 7, 1932 in Willard, MO and went to be with her Lord on January 22, 2015. She was married to Charlie Eugene Downs Sr. for 53 years until his passing in 2008. Betty led an active life working for years as a bookkeeper at the MFA fertilizer plant in Springfield, as co-owner of Hilda's Candy Kitchen, and various other jobs. She was a member of Boulevard Baptist Church and was involved in numerous charity activities and fundraising. She loved being outdoors and had the greenest thumb imaginable, although struggled in getting her hubby to take his turn in mowing the lawn. But most importantly she was a great wife, mom, grand-mom, great grand-mom, and friend. If someone needed support she was always there for them and would do literally anything to help those around her. We will miss her kind smile, her caring attitude, and all the love she had for each of us. She was preceded in death by her parents Leona and Harlan Brooks; sister Jane Crim; brothers Harry and Howard Brooks; and her husband Charlie Downs. Betty is survived by daughter, Pam and husband Michael Sessions; son Charlie and wife Beverly Downs; grandson Dylan Sessions; granddaughters, Betsy Smith and Emily Fauchier; and great grandkids Noah, McKenna, and Marlee. The family would like to thank the staff at The Gardens Memory Care Center for the great support and care they gave to mom while she was a resident there, they definitely made her quality of life better. A Memorial Service will be Monday, January 26, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with the visitation following. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association or Humane Society of Southwest Missouri would be appreciated.