Betty J. Dean

     Betty Jean Dean, daughter of Irvin James Spitler and Bonnie Edna (Jordan) Spitler, was born May 18, 1937, in Levelland, Texas. She departed this life April 14, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 29 days.

     On April 13, 1957, she was united in marriage to Roger Dean in Tulare, California, and to this union twin girls and a son were born.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Cherri; great-grandson, Jack Scofield; sister, Mary Brooke and husband, Dale; infant brother, William Hugh Spitler; and nephew, Keith Brooke.

     Betty is survived by her husband of 66 years, Roger; daughter, Terri Dean; son, Bryan Dean and wife, Connie, all of Mansfield, Missouri; sister, Ruthie Coday and husband, Gary, of Tulare, California; her grandchildren, Randy Scofield, Shawna Cleavenhagen and husband, Brad, Michael Scofield and wife, Lacie, Rhett Scofield, Abby Robertson and husband, Adam, Macy Allison, Jesse Dean and fiancé, Makalie Woods, Clayton Merritt and wife, Patricia; her great-grandchildren, Chance Cleavenhagen, Andrew Cleavenhagen, Nicole Scofield, Chloe Scofield, Owen Scofield, Oliver Scofield, Eden Allison, Lilly Wright, Emma Scofield, and Hartley Robertson; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     She was born in Texas and moved with her family to Oklahoma and then to Tulare, California, where she graduated from Tulare Union High School in the Class of 1955. After she and Roger were married, they continued to live in California where their children were born. They then moved to Oklahoma in 1967 before moving to Mansfield in 1971. Betty worked as the cashier at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Mansfield, various doctors’ offices, and was City Clerk for the City of Mansfield for many years.

     Betty made a profession of faith in Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Wolf Creek Freewill Baptist Church; she was a dedicated prayer warrior.

     In her spare time, she made many, many afghans for people who were getting married, having babies, graduating, and many others she felt led in her heart to delight. While crocheting, she prayed for that person or family while she was making their afghan.

     Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and a person who truly cared about others. Our loss is Heavens’ gain.