Betty Joyce Anderson Lockett, 95, went to be with her Lord on September 28, 2026. She was born on March 28, 1931 on her family farm in LaPlata, Missouri, during a snowstorm to William “Bud” and Eula (Cummins) Anderson.

Betty was a member of Broadway Covenant Church. She sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, made numerous large banners for their sanctuary, belonged to their quilting club, cooked and served hundreds of meals for their Wednesday evening services. She belonged to the Red Hat Society.

Betty first began grade school at Wilson country school; then went to Highland Grade School in LaPlata. Being they lived out on a farm; she would stay in town with her Aunt Becky so she didn’t miss any basketball practices or games because of snow. She was Salutatorian in the Class of 1949 at LaPlata High School. She was awarded a scholarship to Northeast Missouri State Teachers College – Kirksville. However, her life took a different path and she graduated from Dover Beauty College in February 1950.

Their brothers introduced her and Tate Lockett when she visited Rockford. Their first get togethers were playing baseball. They married on May 21, 1950 and made Rockford their home. They welcomed two daughters. Betty was a homemaker; busy gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, and crafting. When their daughters went to school, Betty worked in the food industry; clerking for 19 years.

When Betty and Tate experienced their “empty nest”, they soon filled it with square dancing with Merry Mixers club, camping, working elections, cooking breakfast for Rockford’s homeless shelter and taking recorded church services to shut-ins. While Tate was on the golf course, Betty spent hours working on the genealogy of both the Andersons and the Locketts. They also liked to travel; celebrating their anniversaries with a trip to Switzerland and another time with a train trip through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. They often took Betty’s Mom along when they went to Colorado, and Tennessee. Their biggest shared interest was their die-hard love for the St. Louis Cardinals; getting to some home games, but more often watching them on tv with John and Dort.

Betty is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Pam “PJ” (Rick) Franseen and Debbie (Mark) Koester and her grandchildren Jeremy Franseen, Josh (Jill) Franseen, Jenny (Steven) Van Winkle, Vinnie (Sara) Caiozzo, Jessie (Alfonso) Bray, and Jacob (Madison) Koester and twelve great grandchildren. Survivors also include numerous nieces and nephews; including Carri-Ann Johnson (God-daughter) and Retired Colonel Kevin Lockett (God-son) and brother Robert “Zeke” (Carol) Anderson and brother-in-law Bobby Lockett.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, her parents, brothers Harold (Maxine) Anderson, Andy (Verna) Anderson and Wallace Anderson; brothers-in-law Gene (Christine) Lockett and Johnny (Dorothy) Lockett and sister-in-law Peggy Lockett.

There will be a Memorial Service for Betty on October 10, 2026 at Broadway Covenant Church. Visitation at 10 a.m. Service at 11 a.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations are made to Broadway Covenant Church or Transitions Care (hospice service who provided loving, compassionate care of our mother and extended support to Pam & Debbie). A special thanks to Shirley from Wesley Willows who cared for Mom like she was her own mother.

The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. To share memories and condolences online, please visit, www.fitzgeraldfh.com.