Betty L. Stearns

Carbondale - Betty L. Stearns, 91, of Carbondale, went to her heavenly home at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2015 at Manor Court of Carbondale. Betty was born April 18, 1924 in Carbondale to Clarence and Jenny (Chapman) Waddington. She married Paul "Tod" Stearns on November 10, 1942 in Cape Girardeau, MO. He preceded her in death on February 13, 1970. Betty is survived by her loving children, Eddie (Alice) Stearns, Phyllis Zimmerman and Janet Holder all of Carbondale; brother, Jim Waddington of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Ruby Oberly of Carbondale; five grandchildren, Jimmy (Cyndi) Stearns, Edie (Mark) Wece and Mindy Zimmerman, all of Carbondale, Todd (Autumn) Holder and Adam Holder (fianc�� Bridgett Youngman), all of De Soto; ten great grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by grandson, Troy Zimmerman, three brothers, and one sister. Betty worked at New Era Dairy as a waitress for a short time, then with her late husband, they opened and managed Stearns Grocery store on Route 51. Before Tod passed away, she became a stay at home mother to her three delightful children. She felt blessed to be able to take care of her family and thanked the Lord every day for them. After Tod passed away, she cleaned houses for various people. One of her favorite hobbies was tending to her flower garden and the lawn, it gave her much peace. She was an exceptional lady and will be truly missed by all who met her. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2015 at Meredith Funeral Home of Carbondale. Family and friends are asked to gather at Boskydell Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2015 for a final farewell, with Reverend Paul Hicks officiating. Memorial donations are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.









Visitation:



5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2015



Meredith Funeral Home Carbondale, Illinois