Terry Rex

Bettes

Terry Rex Bettes was born August 19, 1946 in Piggott, Arkansas to Margaret Causes Whitehorn. He passed away November 27, 2024 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center at the age of 78 years, two months and nine days.

In his younger years, Terry enjoyed playing sports, hunting, fishing, and listening to music. As he got older he enjoyed watching sports and listening to music. Terry had a love for animals and, as his kids can tell you, had many legendary family pets. In recent years, he found joy in causing gray hair for his children and grandchildren. He drove a school bus for Southern Reynolds County Schools for many years, and enjoyed meeting and getting to know all the kids he met. He remembered you all.

Terry was preceded in death by his wife Anita, his mother, Margaret, step-father, Amos Rob Whitehorn, and one very loved grandson, Ethan Ryan Bettes. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Buiell Whitehorn and Gary Whitehorn, brothers-in-law, Billy Bellah, Lindy Watkins and his nephew, Nicholas Rice.

On August 19, 1967 in Piggott, Arkansas, Terry was united in marriage to Anita C. Bellah. To this union six children were born, Stacy (Randy) Lockwood of Desloge, Missouri, Clifford (Kimberly) Bettes of Ellington, Missouri, Terry Max Bettes of Ellington, Missouri, Ricky Bettes of Redford, Missouri, Billie (Robert) McNail of Ellington, Missouri, and Micky (Ronnie) Parkhill of Ellington, Missouri.

Terry is survived by all of his children, and 16 grandchildren. Zac Lockwood (Devon) of Washington state, Ricky (Andrea) Lockwood of Desloge, Missouri, Jesse Lockwood of Desloge, Missouri, Steven Buchanan of Piedmont, Missouri, Caleb (Nicole) Bettes of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Laura (Doug) Oder of Desloge, Missouri, Billy Parkhill of Ellington, Missouri, Ranee (Andy) Purcell of Ellington, Missouri, Tyler (Tiffany) Kuntz of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Dylan Bettes of Ellington, Missouri, Branden (Cypriana) Bettes of Talkeetna, Alaska, KelleyMay (Branden) Mullins of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Morghan Keeney of Van Buren, Missouri, Sam Keeney of Van Buren, Missouri, EmmaLee Bettes of Talkeetna, Alaska, and Eli Parkhill of Ellington, Missouri. He also has 16 great-grandchildren with another one on the way.

He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Sharon Watkins and Shirley (Owen) Rice. Close family friends, Francis (Ritchie) Petty, and his many nieces and nephews. Terry will be deeply missed by his family and all that knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 7th from 1 PM-3 PM at McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, Missouri

Eulogy: Billie McNail

Arrangements by McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, Missouri

In lieu of flowers: McSpadden Funeral Home for funeral expenses.