Betty Cool's Obituary
Betty Cool, 84 of Centerville, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord on November 21, 2020 at Centerville Specialty Care in Centerville, Iowa. Betty Lorene Mark was born on July 21, 1936, in rural Mercer Missouri, to Myles and Opal (Rains) Mark. Betty loved to tell stories of growing up on the farm and running barefoot everywhere she went. She especially enjoyed spending time with her dad and riding into town with the horses and wagon on Saturday nights to get a 5 cent bag of peanuts and a Pepsi. She and her dad loved to fish together and fishing was something she always enjoyed. Betty was active, loved to work, and held many different jobs throughout her life. Her favorite job that she talked about often, was working in the ladies wear department of the big Macy's store in Kansas City. She loved that job because she was able to wear and model the clothing while she worked. The store manager asked her to do this since she was the perfect size for the job, and looked so nice in the outfits. Betty also worked at Frost Nursing Home, and as a waitress in a restaurant in Leon, in her late teens. She met and married Roy Bunch in September of 1952. Together, they had one son, Roy Lee Bunch. She and Roy were later divorced. Betty met Jim in November of 1957 and they were married on June 21, 1958. From this union came four children; James Kevin, Robert Kenton, Timothy Dean, and Tina Ranee. They resided in Ellston, Iowa, where Jim taught school. From here, they moved to Mt. Ayr, then to Humeston. The couple lived here for two years before moving to Leon, where Jim continued to teach and coach. In 1967, they moved their family to Centerville, Iowa, where they have resided since. Betty was an excellent homemaker and cook. One of her loves was interior design and making her home beautiful. She also had jobs outside of the home. She worked as a nurse's aide in the Corydon Hospital, and took great pride in that job. She worked at Golden Age Nursing Home in Centerville, and waitressed at The Green Circle restaurant. Betty very much enjoyed flowers and designing arrangements as a hobby. She would work outside, on her yard, landscaping with flowers and rocks, to make it pretty. She got a job making floral arrangements for the Flower Center when it was located on 10th Street, in Centerville - another job she loved. Betty was a woman of strong faith and made sure her children went to church. She and Jim were members of the Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church for many years and most recent members of the Centerville Baptist Fellowship. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing the hymns at church. She also very much enjoyed country music and singing along with her favorite country artists, Charley Pride and Loretta Lynn. Betty had a love of Christmas that she shared and passed down to her children. She would make her home festive and fun, with blue lights on the tree and carefully wrapped presents under it. She would make her special fudge, banana bread, and hot chocolate every Christmas Eve. Christmas was always a joyful time for her with her family. Betty was a resident of Centerville Specialty Care the last two years of her life, where she continued to enjoy visits from her children, grand and great grandchildren. They could always get a smile from her. She was so proud of her family and especially enjoyed the babies. Betty will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Betty is survived by her husband of 62 years Jim Cool, 4 sons Roy Lee Bunch (Gayle), Kent Cool (Jeanice), Kevin Cool (Cindy), Tim Cool (Angie), daughter Tina Bauman (Mike), grandchildren Mindy Bunch, Sean Bunch, Venessa Bunch, Scott Cool (Tracie), Alyssa Fillmore (Andrew), Keenan "KJ" Cool (Katrina), Kameron Cool (Kali), Elizabeth Weinberg (Shane), Griffin Cool, Brett Bauman (Sophia) and Mason Bauman, great-grandchildren Kaiya, Alyvia and Kohen Fillmore, Weston, Hudson and Paxton Cool, Kannon, Karigan, Karter and Kynser Cool, August and Rhys Cool, Devin Bradley and Tegan Bunch, Thomas and Danger Coffman, and Peytyn, Lillian and Abigail Bunch, sisters Patricia Vandel (Lester), Cleta Williams (Gordon) and Janice Schraft (Bob), nieces and nephews, and numerous extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Lowell Mark, and a grandson Jazon Bunch. A visitation for Betty will held be from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville. The family will hold a private graveside service at Clio Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Iowa Right to Life or Centerville Baptist Fellowship. Condolences may be shared at thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Betty Cool please visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation (family not present) NOV 25. 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (CST) Thomas Funeral Home - Centerville 501 North 18th StreetCenterville, IA 52544[emailprotected]
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?