Betty Lou Peecher

Betty Lou Peecher, 95, formerly of Louisiana, passed away on June 20, 2025 while surrounded by family at her home in Washington, Missouri. Betty, daughter of the late Russell and Mary Finney, was born on December 18, 1929, in Springfield, Illinois. She was united in marriage to George Lindsey Peecher on June 6, 1954, in Greenfield, Illinois and the couple spent 67 wonderful years together. While growing up in Greenfield, Illinois, Betty walked through a field to attend Pleasant Point Grade School, a one-room schoolhouse. As a teenager, she attended Greenfield High School and graduated in 1947. Later she attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois where she earned an associates degree. While attending Blackburn College she met Melba, who became a lifelong friend. The friends took the state teachers exam and became teachers in Auburn, IL where Betty taught third grade. Two years later she was able to attend Illinois State University and earned a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1953. Upon graduating she moved to Roxana, Illinois where she taught second grade. While in Roxana she met the love of her life, George. They met at a diner, and began dating in January 1954. By June of the same year, they were married. The couple later moved to Louisiana where Betty began substitute teaching and later would begin her full time teaching career; in all, she lovingly devoted herself to 33 years in the Louisiana School District. Even decades after retirement she couldn’t walk down the street or enter a store in Louisiana without someone greeting her with a big smile and recognizing her as their former teacher. Many students kept in contact with her via Facebook and even sent her cards for her 95th birthday. Born the eldest of four children, Betty learned the importance of hard work early by helping to care for the family farm before and after school with her father. The value of education was also ingrained in her from a young age. She carried those lessons with her throughout life, instilling the same dedication and resilience in her children and grandchildren. Betty found joy in simple things: baking cakes for her family members' birthdays, making family meals including her homemade noodles, serving as the family historian, attending sporting events and dance recitals to cheer on grandchildren and great-grandchildren, listening to songs by the Oak Ridge Boys, worshiping at the Methodist Church, volunteering at the senior center, and serving as President of the Louisiana Library Board. As a woman of deep faith and steady strength she lived a life defined by devotion to her family, to her students, and to the values she held dear. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and beloved teacher, she poured her heart into everything she did. Betty is survived by a son, Roger Peecher and wife, Cindy Peecher of Arrow Rock, MO; a daughter, Mary Lou Littrell and husband, Robert of Washington, MO; 5 grandchildren, Carrie Peecher, Arrow Rock, MO; Jason Peecher and wife, Megan, Miami, MO; Annie Kessler and husband, Eric, Washington, MO; Kristy Littrell, Tampa, FL; Jennifer Biermann and husband, Kevin, Washington, MO: eleven great-grandchildren, Maddie Koenig; Addison, George and Lillian Peecher; Sydney, Leah, and Audrey Kessler; Hallie, Hannah, Emma, and Collin Biermann. Betty has two surviving sisters, Mary Jane Ross and husband, Jerry, Savoy, IL; Daisy Tipler, El Paso, IL. One surviving sister in law, Mary Finney, Greenfield, IL and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews who were dear to her heart. Betty was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, George, her parents, one brother, and numerous brother in laws, sister in laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A visitation will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, MO, followed by a memorial service. Interment will take place at Summer Hill Cemetery in Summer Hill, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Louisiana Public Library.

Betty Lou Peecher

December 18, 1929 - June 20, 2025