Betty Lou Blevins, daughter of the late George A. Thomas and Myrl Ines Yarrington Thomas was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on September 2, 1932 and departed this life at Crowley Ridge Care Center, Dexter, Missouri on March 18, 2014 at the age of 81.

Mrs. Blevins was a published Author, the creator of newspaper syndicated column “Poet’s Corner”, was a member of the American Legion Post #293 of Malden, Missouri and was also a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary.  She was a member of The Weslyn Church of Pontiac, Michigan and a resident of rural Dexter, Missouri.

She was united in marriage to Orval J. “Dick” Grimes in Detroit, Michigan on October 14, 1947.  Mr. Grimes preceded his wife in death on April 4, 1999.  She later was united in marriage to Ronnie Edwin Blevins in Powe, Missouri on September 5, 2001.  Mr. Blevins survives in their home in Dexter.

Other survivors include three sons, Orval Larry Grimes of Phoenix, Arizona, Rickie Vaughn Grimes of Pontiac, Michigan and Philip Wayne Grimes of Bernie, Missouri; by three daughters, Linda Paulette Grimes Cooper of Dexter, Missouri, Robbin Annette Grimes Mekan of Bernie, Missouri and Bobbi Kathleen Grimes Pierce of Dexter, Missouri; by 15 Grandchildren, 31 Great-Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren.  Also by other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death other than by her parents and her first husband, by two brothers, George R. Thomas and Harold L. Thomas; by three sisters, Helen M. Joppie, Evelyn I. Bailey and Louise Thomas; by one granddaughter, Tammy Lynn Grimes.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in BERNIE, Missouri on Thursday, March 20, 2014 from 10:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. 

Funeral Services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Ivan Mekan officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.  Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.