Betty Jane Nowlin, 68, of Mexico, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at her home.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Arnold Funeral Home with burial to follow in East Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.

Betty was born on October 9, 1957, in Aberdeen, Maryland, the daughter of Henry and Louise (Osharne) Matthews. On September 8, 2001, she married Fritz Nowlin.

Betty graduated from Community R-6 High School in 1975. At an early age, she began picking strawberries for her grandfather in Martinsburg. After graduation, she worked at the Wellsville Garment Factory before beginning employment with A.P. Green. During a layoff from A.P. Green, she worked for a short time at the Mexico Ledger before returning to A.P. Green, where she worked for a combined total of 16 years. Betty later began working for Hubbell in Centralia, where she retired after 25 years of service. During her career at Hubbell, she received the Sheila Underwood Award at a banquet in Florida, the company's highest honor for customer service.

Mrs. Nowlin enjoyed working alongside her co-workers and considered many of them close friends. She loved taking motorcycle trips, especially along the river roads. Betty and Fritz enjoyed traveling the east side of the Mississippi River and returning along the west side. Together, they traveled throughout the country, with the Black Hills being one of their favorite destinations. She especially loved being outdoors, and in her spare time enjoyed reading and baking. Betty was especially known for her delicious sugar cookies.

Survivors include her husband, Fritz Nowlin of the home; three children, Travis Woolridge of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, David Nowlin of Mexico, and Wendy (Scott) Newsome of Alabama; four grandchildren, Zack Nowlin, Jenna Nowlin, Christopher Young, and Christine Shirley; four great-grandchildren; her father, Henry Matthews; one brother, Bill Matthews of Iowa; and one sister, Peggy (Jimmy) Wright of Osage Beach.

Betty was preceded in death by one son, Danny Woolridge; her mother, Louise Matthews; and one sister, Penny Dunn.

Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Foundation and sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.