Betty Lou Gilmore

Mrs. Betty Lou Gilmore, age 91, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Monday, April 26, 2021, at Auburn Ridge Living Center in Wardsville, Mo. Betty was born June 8, 1929, in Jamestown, Mo., the daughter of Elvin and Erma (Seitz) Hampton who were farmers. Betty was raised on a farm in Jamestown, Mo. and graduated from a one room schoolhouse in Bethel, Mo. At the age of 17, she and her cousin June, whom she was inseparable from, came to Jefferson City in 1946 where they worked at Oberman Pants Factory, Lace Moccasin and the Tweedie Shoe Factory. They also spent many weekends dancing at Hillbilly Village and the Lomo Club. She was married on June 26, 1962, at the First United Methodist Church (where she remained a member until her death) in Jefferson City to a very handsome Marine named Karl R. Gilmore. They began a family shortly after they were married and Betty became an enthusiastic homemaker. This role fit her well because she loved nurturing her family by being there with them after school, cooking supper every evening, cleaning for other families as they needed the help, and planning the cherished annual family reunion with her famous potato salad. Betty's commitment to her family included helping raise her youngest sister Wanda starting at the age of nine when their mother died unexpectedly. Betty adored her children and loved being able to support them in their daily activities, but Betty REALLY loved her grandchildren. She was constantly buying goodies for the children and making sure that the holidays were special for each of them. Betty loved being outdoors by working in her yard or garden, even helping neighbors with their own yard work. No leaf was left on the ground while she was on watch. Karl and Betty looked forward to trips to Branson with their good friends, John and Connie Rainey, to watch many shows, especially The Presleys. Most importantly, Betty cherished time with her immediate and extended family and celebrated them on any occasion she could. She was the primary caregiver for her father and dedicated many hours driving to Jamestown to make sure he had everything he needed. Betty made sure all her family members' graves were shown the right attention throughout the year. She never missed a Memorial Day or a Christmas. When Betty could no longer do it herself, she passed it down to her children to ensure it was done. In the past few years, she loved to talk about celebrating her 90th birthday, and it's clear she had a lot of reasons to celebrate. Survivors include: three children, Kevin Gilmore (wife Jonna) of Jefferson City, Mo., Darla Epple (husband Ken) of Jefferson City, Mo. and Pam Bowman (husband Chuck) of Columbia, Mo.; two sisters, Norma Imhoff of Lake Ozark, Mo. and Wanda Roark (husband Richard "Dickie") of Jefferson City, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Justin Gilmore (wife Haley), Jesse Epple, Paige Colbert (husband Danny), Kevin Cochran (wife Katia), Eric Cochran (wife Kristina), Jake Bowman and Brittany Montcalm (husband Brady); three great-grandchildren, Bennett, Charley, Broxton, and eagerly awaiting two more in the coming months. Betty was also loved by many nieces and nephews, other extended family and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 44 years, Karl on September 11, 2006; a grandson, Cole Epple on February 15, 2021; and three siblings, Shirley Tripp, James Hampton and Wayne Hampton. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2021. Funeral services will be conducted at 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2021, in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Trevor Dancer officiating. Graveside services and entombment will be held at the Mausoleum of Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. A webcast of her service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe Street, Suite 100, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or Mount Zion Cemetery, Jamestown, Mo. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com