Betty Lou Lassiter

Betty Lou Lassiter was born in Osborn, Missouri on March 9, 1924. She grew up there, and moved to Maryville, Missouri, to attend Northwest Missouri State College in 1942. Betty Lou received her Bachelor of Science degree majoring in music in 1946. She married The Rev. Arleigh W. Lassiter on June 28, 1947, and they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1949.

Betty was the organist at The Church of the Good Shepherd from 1949 to 1967. She taught piano lessons to many students over the years. Betty Lassiter played the organ at Avondale Methodist Church for several years. Betty and Arleigh moved to Merriam, Kansas, in 1979 where Arleigh continued his ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Shawnee, Kansas. Betty served as the organist at St. Luke’s from 1980 to 1999. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists, and assisted with many organizations within the church.

Betty Lassiter passed away March 7, 2010. She is survived by her husband Arleigh of 63 years, and two daughters, Cheryl Ball and husband Gary, and Charlene Lassiter. She has four grandchildren-Nancy Palmer, Shannon Sutherland, Stacey Sutherland, and Scott Sutherland. Betty was blessed with three great grandchildren-Mikayla Pink, Jackson Palmer, and Caroline Palmer. Also, she is survived by her brother, Don Crane, of Cameron, Missouri. Betty was preceded in death by her granddaughter Dr. Julie A. Ball.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Alzheimer’s Association, or Grace Hospice.

Memorial Service

The memorial service will be held on March 13, 2010 at 3:00 PM at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 5325 Nieman Road, Shawnee, Kansas 66203.