Betty Ann (Cole) Grisham, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Oakview Estates in Frontenac, KS.
She was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on April 25, 1929, the daughter of Harold Wright Cole and Winifred (Havens) Cole. This was during the depression. In 1936, her father got a job with the Cripe Bakery, and the family moved to Baxter Springs, KS and she attended elementary school there. They returned to Pittsburg in 1942, and she graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1947.
Betty attended college and graduated in 1952 from what is now Pittsburg State University. Her major was Elementary Education, and she taught school in Garnett, KS, for one year, Riverton, KS, for two years, and Pittsburg for one year. She married John Grisham of Pittsburg on June 1, 1952. They left Pittsburg in 1954 when John finished college and took a job with Montgomery Wards as a trainee. They moved to Topeka, KS. This was the first move, and in the next several years, the family moved to Hutchinson, Concordia, El Dorado, Augusta, KS, Ponca City, and Bartlesville, OK. The last move was to Independence, KS, where John managed the Ward Store. They were the proud parents of three children, Curtis Cole, John Kent, and Rebecca Lynn Grisham, who were born during those years.
In 1966, the family moved back to Pittsburg, and John was the Manager Pittsburg’s first discount store, Gibson’s. During the children’s younger years Betty was active teaching Sunday School, being a homeroom mother and involved with their activities and friends. She worked many years at Vacation Bible School at the Methodist Church. She returned to teaching in the 1970’s and taught at Westside School. She continued her education at summer school and, in 1982, received her Master’s Degree in Library Science and was the Library Media Specialist at Eugene Field for 13 years. She had fond memories of her former students and enjoyed seeing them in later years.
Her husband died in 1991, and she retired from teaching in 1992. She enjoyed family and friends, loved to read, and liked all kinds of music. She belonged to two Bridge Clubs, Wednesday Morning Study Club, Chapter CJ of PEO, where she served as President 1998-2000, Mirza Nobelles, Crawford County Republican Women, Precinct Woman, Friend of the Library, Pink Lady at the Hospital, Life Time member of PSU Alumni, Lifetime member of Via Christi Auxiliary, and longtime member of the First United Methodist Church.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a younger brother, sister Shirley Levin, and a special friend, Floyd Hayden of Opolis.
She is survived by her sons Curtis Cole, wife Janice; John Kent, wife Gay; daughter Becky, husband Jim Fearmonti; grandchildren, Makenzie, husband Joe; Morgan, husband Kevin; Santana, Camillia, husband Curtis; Tammy, Kenna, husband Patrick; great grandchildren Ruby, Evelyn, Emmy Ann, Summer, and Walker. The family would also like to give thanks and appreciation to the entire staff of Oakview Estates for their compassion and excellent care of mom.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Brenner Mortuary. Visitation will be held on Monday one hour prior to the start of the service. Burial will be at a later date in Highland Park Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Wesley House.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS.
