Betty Constance Walton of Savannah, MO passed peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Betty was born on June 23, 1922 to parents Constance and Sidney Newman in St. Louis, MO. By the end of grade school, Betty, her younger brother Dick, and her parents had relocated to Kansas City, MO where she would graduate from Paseo High School. After a few additional changes in address, Betty's parents eventually settled in the small town of Savannah, MO where her father opened his own dealership, Newman Chevrolet.

Betty found her first love in Frank Barnes while working for Traveler's Insurance in Kansas City and married him in 1940. They welcomed their only child, a son, Jeffery, in 1942. Betty would soon follow in her parent's footsteps and move her own family to Savannah to raise their son. Little did she know at the time, this would become the place that Betty would call her home for over 80 years of her life.

While Frank served in WWII, Betty lived in the Shepard Apartments where she would meet some of her lifelong friends. She often spoke fondly of the woman she held dear to her heart from their shared time together. After the end of the war, Betty and Frank cherished one another and the life they had built in Savannah. Unfortunately, their time together was cut short by Frank's untimely passing in 1952.

Betty continued to live in Savannah and raise Jeff on her own until she met her second chance at love, Morris Walton, whom she would marry in 1955. Betty would frequently say that she was the luckiest woman in the world to have been given the chance to experience true love twice in one lifetime. The two were inseparable and a match like no other. She and Morris shared 51 beautiful and fulfilling years together until Morris's passing in 2006. It was in her time with Morris that they gained their most favorite titles of all, GeeGee and PawPaw.

Betty was a devoted follower of Christ, as a member of Unity Church and faithful attendant of the Savannah First Christian Church. Alongside her love of the Lord was her love for her family, her friends who became family, fresh fruit, flowers, Dairy Queen ice cream cake, the Andrew County Senior Center, and her Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Above all, Betty was a dedicated mother, friend, grandmother, great grandmother, and great- great grandmother. She lived her life to the fullest and gave more of herself to others than she ever expected in return. Her positive outlook and ability to always look for the best in others shone through in every aspect of her life. She rarely complained, spoke negatively of others, or dwelled on hardship.

Simply put, Betty was truly a woman like no other. The sweetest lady in all of Savannah, but also quite sassy and a little bit of a spitfire when the time called for it. With a memory like no other, Betty shared life stories and lengthy literary quotes that will not be forgotten by those who cherished her dearly.

While encapsulating 104 years of a life well lived is truly impossible, Betty was the model of kindness, compassion, positivity, friendship, and serving others for the entirety of her time here on earth. All that were lucky enough to have known her were better for it. Her legacy will live on in those who she has left behind.

Betty is preceded in death by: Her parents; Constance and Sydney Newman, her brother and sister-in-law; Dick and Awanda Jo Newman, as well as countless friends and loved ones who went before her time.

Betty is survived by her son, Jeff (Sue) Barnes, granddaughter; Cindy Barnes-Cornelius, grandson; Chris (Renee) Barnes, great grandchildren; Josh (Blair) Cornelius, Jessica (Tommy) Castronovo, Jenny (Payton) Flint, Jacey (Keaton) Wise, and great-great grandchildren; Adelie, Jackson, Haven, Wesley, Oliver, Elanor Constance, Hudson, Rhett, and Imogen, nephew; Rodney Newman, as well as her dear friend who became family; Kim (Rick) Smith.

Betty's family would like to give their sincere gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of the caregivers who dedicated themselves to her care while also providing friendship and love along the way.

Visitation and Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at the Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home in Savannah, MO. Visitation from 9:00-10:30am, Services to follow beginning at 10:30am.  Burial will follow the funeral service at Savannah Cemetery in Savannah, MO.

Memorial contributions in honor of Betty can be made to the Andrew County Senior Center, a place that brought her so much happiness.