Betty Sue McClanahan, formerly of Columbia and the St. Louis area, passed away August 31, 2023, at Warrenton Manor in Warrenton, Missouri. She was 84 years old.

Betty was born in Fisher, Arkansas on May 16, 1939, a daughter of Charles William and Chestine Gleen Drum.  Betty grew up as a migrant worker picking cotton in Arkansas and traveling to Michigan every summer to help harvest blue berries, cherries and peaches. She was a longtime waitress retiring from Schnuck’s Restaurant after being employed as a waitress for 40 years. Betty had formerly resided in the state of Arkansas, St. Peters, Missouri, Ladue, Missouri and lastly in Columbia, Missouri.

Betty, Gramie, as she was lovingly known to her grandchildren loved gardening, always having a summer garden of vegetables to provide for her family. However, her true passion was flower gardening, taking great pride in her flower beds and enjoying the people that drove by to see them. Betty was also a jack of all trades and would perform home repairs including plumbing, ripping out old carpet and constructing a swing for the grandchildren. She also loved animals and would adopt any that wondered her way. Over the years, she cared for everything from fish to a bunny, cats, dogs and at one point she even had a deer that would visit her yard and let her pet it.  Betty also loved to read mystery books every night after dinner while Sidney watched his favorite tv shows.

Survivors include her stepson, Bill McClanahan of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Tonya Osiek of Chesterfield, Michael Colvin of St. Peters, D.J. Hall and Aaron Hall both of Circleville, Ohio; and five siblings, Elmo, Charles, Dorris, Rodger and Billy.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Sidney Alsop McClanahan on January 11, 2023; a daughter, Gina Hamilton Colvin; a son, Jerry Hamilton and sister, Shirley.

Graveside services honoring Betty’s life will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Walnut Ridge Cemetery with Rev. Bill O’Neal officiating.

Condolences may be shared at www.carryager.com.