Bettie Claire Neil
1924-2018

Maysville, MO….Bettie Claire (Wallace) Neil, of Fairport, Missouri, was born on February 12,1924 and passed away May 8, 2018. Visitation will be Friday, May 11, 2018 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The Memorial Service will be Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Turner Family Funeral Home in Maysville, MO. Burial in Fairport Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Dekalb County Historical Society, 114 W Main, Maysville, MO 64469, Fairport Cemetery, or Hospice in Cameron, MO.

Bettie Claire was born in Maryville, MO, to her parents Ed and Daisie Wallace.The family was made up of her sisters, Ethyl and Kathryn and brother Edwin. She was the youngest daughter of the four siblings. Her parents opened up their home as a boarding house in between terms of her father serving as the Sheriff of Nodaway County. She graduated from Maryville High School in 1942 and then worked for a year until attending Northwest Missouri State University where she completed her degree. Bettie Claire came to Maysville, MO, to be a high school English teacher, followed by another teaching position at Grandview High School. She married Max Neil on October 2, 1948 and became the wife of a farmer. She stayed active in the community with various jobs until she became a full time mother.

The Neil family moved to Blue Springs, MO, during the mid-1950’s, but returned to the Fairport community by the 1960’s. They acquired the Fairport Service Station in addition to farming at this time. Claire always had a love of books and a thirst for knowledge. After her two children went to school, she returned to get her second degree in Library Science from Northwest Missouri State University. Following her love of reading and books, she became a librarian at Plattsburg High School. She extended her love of reading to her students through her career as a librarian for over 30 years until she retired. She then gave of her time as a Hospice Volunteer. She cared for her husband Max as his health declined until his death in 2010.

Claire’s deep love and support of family will be remembered. The stories she shared will be treasured of family exploits in her youth, living in a jail as her father was Sheriff and as a dancer and traveler with her sister Ethyl and husband Ray. She continued the tradition that her father began during the depression, giving $2.00 bills as an expression of her love.

Bettie Claire was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Daisie Wallace, husband Max Neil, sisters Ethyl Blomfield, Kathryn Davis, and brother Edwin Wallace. She is survived by her daughter Rae Ann Jenkins (Stuart) and son Wallace Neil (Brenda), five grandchildren Alex (Chandra) and Erin Jenkins, Andrew, Kelsey and Wesley Neil, and two great grandchildren, Cordelia and Beatrice Jenkins. She will be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and past students.

Arrangements Turner Family Funeral Service will be at 603 South Sloan Street, Maysville, MO 64469. Online guest book and obituary at http://turnerfamilyfuneral.com.