Betty Potter

Betty E. Potter, age 88, of Lamar passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Truman Healthcare Center.     Betty was born December 15, 1925 in Clinton, Oklahoma; one of the three children, and only daughter of Lotan and Annie (Willsey) Collier.  After graduating from Clinton High School, she met Bob Potter, a Missouri sailor serving at Clinton Sherman Naval Air Station.  They were married January 21, 1944 and had celebrated 55 years together before his death on May 12, 1999.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Steve Collier.      In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Betty was a hospitable homemaker with an open door and welcoming heart for family, neighbors, and friends.  She and Bob owned and operated Bob Potter Mens Wear on the Lamar Square for many years.  Betty will also be remembered by many as their Fashion 220 or Melaleuca representative.  She was a member of the Lamar United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Esther circle of the United Methodist Women, a 50 year member of Mount Hope Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, and Lamar Literary Guild.      Survivors include children, LaMalva (Don) Keithly, Gary (Julie) Potter, and Mike Potter, all of Lamar, Janet (Steve) Bowman, Rogersville, Missouri, and Kimbi (Mike) Tidball, Carthage; two brothers, Morris (Aleta) Collier, Lincoln, Nebraska and Weldon (Patsy) Collier, Weatherford, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Greg (Aimee) Keithly, Stacey Keithly, Joshua (Laura) Keithly, Erin (Levi) Keithly-Coats, Nathan Bowman, Lynne (Tim) Reo, Celeste (Joe) Chaligoj, Camille Potter (Kenny Blanchard), Ashlee (Chris) Jankowski, Austin Potter, Tyler (Courtney) Tidball, Trevor Tidball, Rachel Bromley and Stacey Bromley.  Betty delighted in her great-grandchildren, Zada Keithly, Ava & Nola Keithly, Henry & Lily Keithly, Garrett Bowman, Kalyn & Kadence Reo, Aidan Potter-Chaligoj, Becca Chaligoj, Amielia Blanchard, Haley & Elena Jankowski, and was looking forward to welcoming her first great-great granddaughter to the family in April.  Betty will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends.      An Eastern Star service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 28th at Lamar United Methodist Church, after which the Potter family will receive friends until 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 1st at Lamar United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Moorehead Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Lamar United Methodist Church or Mount Hope Chapter, Order of Eastern Star in care of Daniel Funeral Home.