Betty Ann (Cochran) Clark

Betty Ann Cochran Clark, age 94, of Boonville passed peacefully on Friday August 11, 2023 in her home in Somerset, MI surrounded by family. 

Visitation for Betty will be held at Howard Funeral Home Saturday August 19 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. A celebration of life service will begin at 11:30 am with Rev. Tim Fairley officiating and burial will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery. 

Betty Ann Clark was born May 5, 1929, in Boonville, and was the daughter of Eugene Norris and Ona Lucille (Muntzel) Cochran. She was a proud graduate of New Franklin High School, class of 1947. She married Billy Kenneth Clark on April 12, 1950, and was the proud mother of two children. During Billy’s time in the military they lived in Salinas, CA and Washington D.C. before returning to their hometown of Boonville, MO. She looked back fondly on this time traveling with her husband, however loved returning to her hometown where she was an involved community member. She belonged to the United Church of Christ, Boonville Women’s Club, Boonville Rebekah Lodge #643, Boonville Historical Society, and Cooper County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Committee. One of Betty’s most beloved roles was as a founding member of Unlimited Opportunities, Inc. (UOI), formerly Boonslick Industries. This began in 1975 with the goal of supporting the needs of handicapped persons, by opening a building on Locust St. between 6th and 7th in Dec 1976, providing 17 special individuals a place to work. While UOI has since moved and grown, the original white building still stands.  Betty was active with UOI for 39 years calling it “her baby” and was proud that it brought joy and happiness to many. Betty also spent many years helping her husband, Billy, in business with Clark Oil and Bill’s Amoco before retiring in 1994. She found humor in stories she told and enjoyed making people laugh and often said “laughter is good for the soul and adds years to your life”.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 61 years. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey K. Clark and friend Marion Herman of Boonville, MO and Nancy J. Deneau and husband Jim of Somerset, MI, granddaughters Jacquelynn A. Deneau of Somerset, MI and Jennifer L. Penick and husband Kyle of Wolcottville, IN, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  In lieu of flowers Betty had requested memorials be made to Evangelical United Church of Christ in Boonville, or to Unlimited Opportunities of Boonville.

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