Bertha Mae Scrivner

Bertha Mae 'Honey' Scrivner, 90, of Versailles, passed away, Thursday, December 29, 2016, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles. Honey was born October 31, 1926, in Versailles, the third child in a family of eight children, born to Elmer W. Sr. and Mildred V. Lumley Guenther. As a child of the Depression, she learned the value of hard work and the dollar. Honey loved to share fond memories of growing up with her siblings and cousins, riding her Tony pony, being the "waterboy" for the threshing crew on the Guenther farm, and generally being a "tomboy." She was one of 17 graduates of the Versailles High School class of 1944 and a 1949 graduate of Central Methodist College in Fayette with a degree in Art Education. Her future husband was spotted at an early age singing during a talent show at the Royal Theater in Versailles. She came home that afternoon and told her mother she was going to marry that Stover boy who was wearing a "real man's tie" and his name was Jimmy. At the age of 13, instead of attending the MYF function at church, Jimmy 'borrowed' his father's car to take Honey to a movie on New Year's Eve. After a ten-year courtship, they were married September 3, 1949, at the Versailles United Methodist Church. Jim preceded her in death on December 3, 2006. Jim and Honey lived in Kansas City for a year while he attended mortuary school. During that time Honey worked at a bank in the city. They fondly remember saving their money so they could sit at Union Station in Kansas City, split a cinnamon roll and a soda, and watch the people at the train station. Following his graduation, Jim and Honey returned to her hometown of Versailles where in January of 1952, they established the Scrivner Funeral Home in Versailles. Honey obtained her funeral directors license and assisted in the day to day operations of their funeral home. In the early years of their business she also worked at the Produce House until becoming the full time bookkeeper at the funeral home. During this time they began the first fully equipped ambulance service in Morgan County. In the 60's they purchased the Stevenson Funeral Home and Schubert and Steffens Funeral Homes, owning funeral homes in Versailles, Stover and Russellville. In 1990, following the birth of her first granddaughter, Honey retired from the daily activities of the funeral home to be a full time grandmother. Honey stayed busy raising three daughters, sewing many of their clothes, making sure they made all of their school events and supporting their many activities. In the late 60's the Scrivner home became the venue for a group of local musicians to practice and perform for their fellow classmates. She hosted many slumber parties for her daughters' friends through the years and watched numerous floats being built in the garage. The coffee pot was always on and her home was always open to welcome family, friends and weary travelers she met while operating a CB radio out of the ambulance base during the 60's and 70's (you were only a guest once, after that you were family). Her kitchen table was the centerpiece of many family gatherings. Honey was a great supporter of her husband's civic projects, attending numerous meetings and hosting a variety of visitors to the city of Versailles. They were partners in every aspect of their lives, each having a specific role, but always working together to create a successful marriage and business. Honey received her 50-year member pin from the Versailles Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she was a past Worthy Matron. She had been active in the American Business Women's Association, the Business and Professional Women Association where she was Woman of the Year, and Jr. Sorosis. She was a life-long, faithful member of the Versailles United Methodist Church. For many years she enjoyed eating at the Versailles Nutrition Site, visiting with friends and neighbors and listening to the music groups that performed every week. Until the age of 87, she volunteered in the Gift Shop at the Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, giving more than 15 years of service to the hospital. For many years she assisted her sister on a daily basis at the Good Shepherd Care Center, until Buddy's death in December of 2015. Every Saturday for the past eight years, up until the week before her death, she volunteered in the Beauty Shop in the Good Shepherd Care Center, assisting Nellie Farris. Since 2015, Honey resided at the Kidwell Home in Versailles, making it her mission to encourage the residents and the staff on a daily basis. 'Grandmom Honey,' as she was known to many of the kids she spoiled over the years, greatest enjoyment in life came from giving and doing for others. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Mona Scrivner of Springfield, Sherry and Steve Smith of New Bloomfield and Jamie and Doug Morrow of Russellville; an adopted daughter, Carolyn Small of Adel, Iowa; two granddaughters, Carrie and Hannah Morrow of Columbia; a step-granddaughter, Laura Lambert and husband Russ and their daughters, Erin and Ashley; four siblings and their spouses, Sam and Jan Guenther of Gravois Mills, E.W. 'Gus' and Marsha Guenther of San Antonio, Texas, Loyce K. 'Snooks' Washburn of Springfield and Bob and Pat Guenther of Cincinnati, Ohio; two cousins, Carl and Ben Guenther; along with her nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Charles Reed Guenther and Gene G. Guenther; one sister, Vallie L. 'Buddy' Lujin; a brother-in-law, Virgil S. 'Buzz' Lujin; and a sister-in-law, Jackie Guenther. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 6, 2017, at the Versailles United Methodist Church with Pastor Lora Cunningham officiating. Private interment will be in the Stover Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2017, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Kidwell Home Activity Fund, the Stover Cemetery or the Versailles United Methodist Church. A Scrivner-Morrow Service, Versailles, Mo. www.scrivner-morrow.com