Betty Jane Alice Emerson, 96, of Hillsboro died Jan. 19, 2022. Mrs. Emerson was a registered nurse, most recently with the Head Start program. She was a medical volunteer for a summer in Haiti. A 1942 graduate of Eureka High School, she worked as a “gauge girl” in a small arms plant in her youth. She earned a nursing degree in May 1946 from the Missouri Baptist School of Nursing. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, the women’s auxiliary of Gideons International and the Modern Seekers, a women’s club organized through the University Extension Service. She enjoyed reading, cooking and spending time with her family and friends. Born March 12, 1925, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Hilda (Ott) and James Albert Reed Sr.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin Dale Emerson.
She is survived by five children: Stephen (Carolyn) Emerson of Philadelphia, Miss., Dennis (Pamela) Emerson of Winston-Salem, N.C., Karen (Russell Davis) Emerson of Fort Pierce, Fla., Doug (Michelle Wisdom) Emerson of Columbia and Janet (Wesley) Moore of St. Joseph; two sisters: Kathy Reed Hefner of St. Louis and Ruth Reed Wright of De Soto; a brother: Jack Edward Reed of Hillsboro; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter: Sharon Alice Emerson; and a brother: James Albert Reed Jr.
Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at First Baptist Church, 10545 Business 21, Hillsboro. Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at the church. Memorials may be made to Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, 11300 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton MO 63044, Gideons International or Lottie Moon International Missions, 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond VA 23230. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert D. Brown Funeral Home, Hillsboro.