Betty Lou Earle

Betty Lou Earle, 93, of Mexico, peacefully went to heaven surrounded by family and friends, on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at University Hospital in Columbia.

Heaven has gained a special lady who touched so many hearts. People loved Betty and Betty sure loved people.

A Celebration of Life to honor her life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2026, at Arnold Funeral Home. Her longtime family friend, Rev. Randy Jones, will be officiating the service. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.

Betty was born January 4, 1933, in Thompson, Missouri, to Jack Walter Francis and Nora Belle (Ferguson) Goslin. On March 23, 1951, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Edwin Earle, in Mexico, Missouri. Together they welcomed their daughter, Vickie L. Earle, on September 8, 1954.

Betty truly loved life and made the most of every adventure that came her way. She was rarely without a smile, always had a wink to share, and seemed to light up each room she walked into. She was truly one of the classiest ladies you'll ever meet, carrying herself with grace, kindness, and quiet confidence while making everyone around her feel welcome. No matter what the day held, Betty made sure to have her hair done before leaving the house. Her standing Thursday afternoon appointment at All About Style was one she rarely missed, and she was grateful to "both Jennifers" who lovingly cared for her over the years.

A 1951 graduate of Mexico High School, Betty worked her way up to a teller at Commerce Bank before later becoming a bookkeeper for Consolidated Electric. She went to work at Consolidated Electric on March 18, 1968, and retired December 30, 1994.

Betty was a breast cancer survivor who faced life's challenges head on with strength, grace, and faith in God. Betty’s faith was an important part of her life and not only shared Christ's love but was a living testament of His works to those around her. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, quite possibly one of its oldest members, where she faithfully volunteered for many years.

Throughout her life, Betty stayed involved in the things she loved. As a young woman she was active in the Rainbow Girls. Later she became a devoted Girl Scout mom for Vickie, enjoyed square dancing with Kenneth as members of the Mexico Twirlers, and treasured her friendships with the fellow ladies of God's Glory Girls, which she affectionately referred to as the "Golden Girls." Betty and Kenneth's story began when their eyes met on the stairs at Mexico High School. Soon after, she asked on their first date to the Rainbow Girls’ Dance. That date was just the beginning of a marriage filled with love, laughter, and countless adventures. Even in their older years, they still looked at each other like High School Sweethearts.

Together they traveled from coast to coast in their camper, stopping to see the sights whenever they could. For many years they enjoyed spending winters as snowbirds in Melbourne, Florida, where they loved visiting the beaches, going to flea markets, and sharing meals at Wendy's together. Betty's adventurous spirit never faded, and she was a true world traveler. After Kenneth went to Heaven she loved going on spontaneous trips to Branson and all over the country with dear niece Verna and granddaughter Kelly. Betty traveled to Europe for the first time last summer stopping in five countries and visited Hawaii this past January for her birthday to see the dolphins.

She was creative, talented, and always willing to try something new. Betty was known for her beautifully decorated homemade cakes and delicious candy and other treats. She loved gardening and spending time outdoors, especially when a hummingbird or cardinal flew by in her yard. Betty was also an incredible storyteller with an amazing memory - often sharing stories from her childhood, such as about her beloved pet goat. Although her stories were just from her childhood, Betty had wonderful engaging stories from all chapters of life, often about dear friendships, and her love of Kenneth. Yet as much as she loved telling stories, she rarely talked about her own accomplishments. Only recently did she share that she had been an award-winning young artist, Agriculture Queen, and was accomplished in so many other ways. She also liked to joke that she spent her life trying to keep Kenneth in line after they married over spring break during their senior year of high school.

She had a special love for cardinals, hummingbirds, dolphins, flowers, the color red, and the sound of the ocean. And, of course, she adored her dogs. We hope the ones who went before her were waiting at Heaven's gates, and know Precious and Teddy will surely miss her here. No one knew how to spoil a dog quite like Betty. Of all the roles Betty filled throughout her life, the ones she treasured most were being Kenneth's wife, Vickie's mom, and Kelly's Grandma—better known as "Mama." She spoiled Kelly in every way imaginable. Betty was the best chef, baker, teacher, nanny, entertainer, confidante, driving instructor, best friend, and biggest cheerleader a granddaughter could have. Betty loved her entire family deeply and showed that love through home-cooked meals, fresh baked treats, acts of kindness, and simply being present with that familiar smile and warm hugs. Betty lived a full and colorful life rooted in faith, family, friendship, refusing to act her age, and a heart that never stopped caring for others. She leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories and a little piece of her spirit in everyone fortunate enough to know and love her.

Survivors include her granddaughter, Kelly Victoria (Hooper) Leal and husband, Kevin Leal, whom Betty loved dearly and was proud to call her grandson; nieces and nephews, Verna Landrum, Tommy Goslin (Ellen), Mike Goslin, Lura Goslin Williams, Lina Peacock (David), Lisa Newsom (Benny), Billy Walter Goslin (Debbie), Sally Earle Hull, June Earle Spezza, Patricia Earle Downey, Marcia Black, Lynn Earle, Sherrie Parry, and Leigh Heath; many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; cousins; sisters-in-law Yang Earle of The Villages, Florida, and Bonnie Earle of Mexico; along with many other beloved family members and dear friends.

Her husband, Kenneth, and daughter, Vickie, went before her to heaven on September 17, 2015, and November 11, 2020, respectively. Additionally, Betty was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter and Bettie Goslin, J.D. and Joyce Goslin, and Lee and Betty Goslin, brothers-in-law, David Earle, and Pete Earle; nephew, Robert Earle; along with other beloved family members and dear friends.

In honor of Betty and the life she lived, helping others whenever she could, the family encourages everyone to perform a simple act of kindness or good deed for someone you know in need.

Kelly and the family would be grateful if you would take a moment to share a favorite memory of Betty by visiting www.arnoldfh.com.