Betty Ruth (Lewis) Horine, 90, of Warrensburg, Missouri, passed away, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at home, with family.

Betty was born in Annapolis, Missouri on June 16, 1931. Her mother, Ruth Lewis passed away when Betty was only five years old. Her brothers remained with her father, Issom Lewis, while she and her sisters went to live with her grandmother, Belle Lewis. Betty graduated from Annapolis high school in December of 1949, and left for Southeast Missouri State College in January, thanks primarily to the generosity and insistence of her brother, Brian. Brian loaded up Betty and a couple of her friends, strapped their few belongings in cardboard boxes to the bumper of his car, and off they went to college. Due to a shortage of teachers following WWII, with some college credits and a certification test, Betty was able to begin her long career in education by teaching in a one room schoolhouse by that fall. Betty loved children, and she spent her career teaching, first as an elementary classroom teacher, and later in other roles, including special education and elementary school counselor.

While attending SEMO, Betty met the love of her life. She and Jack were married on April 28,1951. Jack joined the army in June, and by April of 1952, Jack was called to serve in Korea. After he returned, they moved to Gideon, Missouri, where Jack began his teaching career, and they started their family. Again, Brian, now with his wife Alene, stepped in with generous hearts, and Jack and Betty stayed summers with them in Columbia while Jack worked on his graduate degrees. That first summer each couple had recently celebrated the birth of their first child, by the second they each had two children, and by the time Jack finished his doctorate the following year, the two couples and their six small children were all sharing Brian and Alene's tiny home!

In 1961, Betty and Jack moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, and in 1963 they bought their home on Grover street, where they remained, and where they were eventually surprised by a couple more children. In 1967, Betty completed her Bachelor's of Science in Education degree at the University of Central Missouri (then CMSC) and her Master's of Science degree in 1971, and continued to teach in Warrensburg until she retired.

Betty was devoted to family and spending time with family, both immediate and extended, was what she loved the most. It could have been no surprise to anyone that she was named Missouri Mother of the Year in 2003. And in addition to their own five children, over the years Betty and Jack welcomed into their home at least 16 other people to live with them to attend college. It started with a young Korean man whom Jack met during his deployment in Korea, and later there were nieces, nephews and grandchildren and their friends, and children and nieces of former students.  Some stayed only a semester or two, while others stayed through Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Jack would throw their doors open wide, and Betty would mother all who entered, her gentle heart worrying that everyone had a place to sleep, food to eat, and had a safe and welcoming home on Grover Street. The lives of so many, worldwide, were touched and enriched by their generosity and hospitality.

Betty was also active in her community, and volunteered for many programs, including Adult Literacy, Food Pantry, Clothes Chest, Friends of the Library, Boy and Girl Scout programs, 4-H and Meals on Wheels.

Betty's faith was central to her life. She and Jack got to know each other at Wesley Foundation at SEMO, they attended the Methodist church in Gideon, and were active members for more than 50 years at the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg. Her faith helped her live such a generous and joyful life, and now it has carried her on to her eternal home.

Betty will be missed by her daughter Jaqueline (Jackie) Greeson, daughter Donna and son-in-law Wayne Dochterman, son Robert (Rob) and daughter-in-law Cheryl Horine, daughter Karen and son-in-law Michael Brandt, daughter Terri and son-in-law James (Jim) Helmig, 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, siblings and siblings-in-law Brian and Alene Lewis, Darlene Brush, Jim and Sharon Middleton, Stan Lewis and Wayne and Blythe Horine.

She is joyfully reunited with her husband, John (Jack) Horine, son-in-law Charles (Chuck) Greeson, mother and father, Issom and Ruth Lewis, Granny Belle Lewis, siblings and siblings-in-law Billy Lewis, Sherman Lewis, Don and Eunice Lewis, Doris and Bob Dittmar, Lewis Brush, Bob and Liz Horine, Joy and Sam Broombaugh and Carolyn Horine in heaven. Betty would have wanted to mention so many more dear family members and friends. However, she loved, and was loved, by so many that it is impossible to list them all here.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM, on Wednesday, September 22 at the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg. Interment will be at Horine Cemetery in Richwoods, MO on Thursday, September 23 at 2:00. The family respectfully requests that indoor guests wear masks. Donations to the First United Methodist Church of Warrenburg in Betty's name are welcomed.