July 30, 2021
There was Crying in the Chapel on July 27, 2021 when Betty Daniels of Smithville passed away.
As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and World’s Best Elvis Presley Fan, she was proud that God allowed her soul to be Returned to Sender… and happy that angels were All Shook Up when she arrived in Heaven. Betty was born at home in Point Pleasant, Missouri on August 11, 1944, the sixth of James and Bertie Young’s nine children. She quickly became the Good Luck Charm of family and friends and – with Amazing Grace – was raised by her Aunt Emma and Uncle Chet, and later by beloved uncle, Bob Bird.
Betty had a Burning Love for all things outdoors and enjoyed being Wild in the Country. Her modest childhood provided no Blue Suede Shoes or Hound Dog companion but she was grateful for not living In the Ghetto or being part of a Jailhouse Rock. She was a good academic student and graduated with high grades from New Madrid High School in Missouri. Believing it was Now or Never, Betty decided to Surrender her Mid-America roots and moved to the east coast in the 1970’s. There, she met and married her Big Hunk O’ Love, John. Although she was a Hard Headed Woman with a sharp business mind, Betty was also a family-oriented Teddy Bear. So, with A Little Less Conversation, she and John became proud parents of John, Jr. in 1974.
By then, they had moved to Tennessee and became an American Trilogy, enjoying life’s Party while doing things Their Way with no Suspicious Minds … and surviving every Mess of Blues. There was truly no Wooden Heart in the Love Me Tender, Stuck on You Daniels household. At their new home, Betty and John established Regal Wood Products of Smithville. It became a thriving kitchen cabinet and fireplace mantel business with a national clientele base. When time allowed, Betty and John enjoyed world travel, outdoor gatherings, and summer days Way Down at Center Hill Lake.
Betty is survived by John, John Jr., daughter-in-law, Brook, and granddaughters, Katlyn and Kyra. She will also be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, especially Billy and Jalonda Bird Harris of Matthews, Missouri. Betty will Always be on Their Mind and for her, they will never lose that Lovin’ Feelin’.
A Memorial Service for Mrs. Betty will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11am at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.