Betty Cooper Hearnes, former First Lady of Missouri and State representative died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at her home in Charleston, surrounded by her family.  She was 96.

A complete obituary is pending.

A private family committal service will be held at the Hearnes Family Mausoleum at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston.  

Entombment will follow under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

A public musical celebration honoring the life of Betty Cooper Hearnes will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorials be made to:

Autism Speaks, P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037-0148 or online at the website: autismspeaks.org.

or to Friends of the Missouri Governors Mansion, 716 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO, 65101.