A resident of the Ava community for several years Betty L. Souder, daughter of Leroy Simon and Edith (Metcalfe) Simon was born on May 29, 1926 in Kansas City, Mo. and went to her heavenly home on Sept. 4, 2008 at the age of 82 years.
Betty was a resident of the Ava community for several years. On Nov. 26, 1976 Betty and Lawrence Souder were united in marriage at London Heights Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kan. Before retirement, Betty was a secretary for Farmer’s Insurance in Overland Park, Kan., and had also worked for H&R Block. Betty was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church, Ava. Everywhere Betty was a member of a church, she joyfully played the organ. Her life with Lawrence was a blessing and they both enjoyed traveling and got to go to the Holy Land twice. Betty had said that the most beautiful place she had visited was New Zealand. They had the opportunities to attend several Billy Graham Crusades, including one in Russia.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents.
Her survivors include her husband, Lawrence Souder of Ava; four nephews, Gerald, Earl, Todd and Dennis Souder and their wives; and a special love for her great-great nieces and nephews, Coby, Nikyha and Peyton who were like her own grandchildren, and many other nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends.
Services for Betty were Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Pastor Tom Maples officiating. Interment followed in the Souder Cemetery.
Visitation was Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. The family requests memorials to Gideons International. Online condolences may be made at www. clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.
