Retired BMA Pastor Dies

Wayne Lester Betts, 96, of Cassville, Mo., passed away Dec. 27. He pastored Bethany Baptist Church in Cassville, Mo.; Landmark Baptist Church in Corning; and Center Grove Baptist Church in Cord. He was the first person to receive a diploma from Central Baptist College as a member of the first graduating class in 1959. He also attended Arkansas State Teacher’s College (UCA), the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and the University of Central Missouri. He was a Navy veteran and taught high school art in Cassville, Mo., for 39 years.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Harper Betts; six children: Jon (Debbie) Betts of Vidalia, La.; Don (Linda) Betts of Greenbrier; Mark (Gaye) Betts of Decatur; Randal (Jeannine) Betts of Conway; Leslie (David) Shofner of Damascus; and Loi “Michele” Betts of Clinton; a sister, Wanda (Clifford) Wellborn of Winston-Salem, NC; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held Jan. 2 at Oakwood Cemetery in Hilliard, Fla. Arrangements were handled by Wilcox Funeral Home (wilcoxfamilyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com).