Betty Ann (Smithee) Knipp was greeted into Heaven by her beloved parents, siblings and friends on May 2, 2025. She passed away unexpectedly at Boone County hospital in Columbia, Mo, surrounded by her adoring family.
Betty was born on June 28,1944 in Auxvasse, Mo, the daughter of the late Wilmon C and the late Elizabeth M. (Lee) Smithee. She and her siblings, David, Clint, Dale, Molly, Wilmon, (Betty), Ronnie and Kenny. They had many adventures together and Betty was known as a nurturing and motherly figure in their lives.
On June 2, 1963 Betty married her high school sweetheart Donal Knipp of Auxvasse. She was welcomed into his large family and loved spending time with them. Over the next 62 years of their marriage they navigated life’s struggles and triumphs together, never failing to be there for each other.
Donal and Betty welcomed 2 children, Stan and Tammy. Betty’s life centered around being a devoted wife and mother. She worked tirelessly throughout her life to provide a warm and loving home where everyone continues to gather frequently. Betty established many family traditions that they will continue to enjoy with loving memories of her.
As years passed the Knipp family grew. Betty’s grandchildren have been the absolute light of her life. Elizabeth Ann Knipp, Hadley Wayne Knipp, Clayton Gochenour, Lacy Lam Ford and Tyler and Ely Huston Lam and Kelsie Martinez, were fortunate to call her Grandma. She took special interest in each of them. She loved reading to them and held them in her lap lovingly singing Jesus Loves Me. She also passed on her love of cooking to them with lessons in the kitchen and lit up when they visited at meal time. With Donal’s assistance she has recently written a cookbook to pass down to her Grandchildren.
Betty loved God and was a lifelong member of Grand Prairie Baptist Church in Auxvasse. She served as Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent, as well as music leader, in addition to many other duties. Betty loved her church and took great joy in decorating it, and tending to the flowers until the time of her death. She enjoyed providing meals and special dishes for church dinners. A devoted Christian, Betty most loved teaching children in the church about Jesus. Betty and Donal also attend the Riding High Cowboy Church in Mexico Mo . She took great joy in baking cookies to share with her church friends after each service.
Betty drove the Book Mobile for North Callaway School district for several years. She then became bookkeeper for the district before leaving to work at Mexico Electric Supply/ABS where she enjoyed the opportunity to work for her brothers, Dale, and
Kenny Smithee and with Clint Smithee and Josh Smithee, all family members.
Besides her love of baking and cooking, Betty was an avid reader and loved music. She tended her flowers and decorated her home beautifully, with warmth and love. She learned to sew at a young age and continued to sew frequently. We will fondly
remember her homemade hot rolls pies. She baked beautiful and delicious pies. It was not unusual for friends and family to discover that she had baked them a pie, just because she knew it was their favorite.
Betty also had a heart for helping others and was a member of the Auxvasse Lions Club. Lions believe in changing the world by serving the needs of their communities. Betty made an additional impact serving in the District and State and as she traveled the world with Donal. Betty served with a smile and a grateful heart, making friendships and memories along the way. Being a Lion is special. The lives Betty touched through service changed lives for the better.
Surviving Betty are her husband, Donal Knipp of the home, children Stan Knipp and Cathy of Boonville, Tammy Lam and Bryce Kristofferson of Mexico. Grandchildren: Elizabeth Ann Knipp of Auxvasse, Hadley Wayne Knipp of Holts Summit,
Clayton Gochenour of Ashland, Lacy Lam Ford and Tyler and Ely Huston Lam and Kelsie Martinez all of Clinton Mo. Brothers Ronnie Smithee of Auxvasse, Kenny Smithee and Dawn of Everton, Arkansas. Numerous nieces and nephews and friends worldwide.
Preceding Betty in death were her parents Wilmon and Elizabeth Smithee, and brothers David Smithee, Clint Smithee, Dale Smithee, Wilmon Smithee, and sister, Molly Shellabarger.
Memorial services will be held at Maupin Funeral Home on Thursday May 8, 2025 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Eddie Schoeneberg, and Pastor Jason Smithee officiating. Visitation will be held at Maupin Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. Inurnment will be held in the Auxvasse Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Prairie Church of Auxvasse c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Blvd, Fulton, MO 65251.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com
