Betty Louise Thompson's Obituary
Betty (Booper) Louise Thompson, of Columbus, KS, was born November 26, 1943 in Pittsburg, KS at the old Mt. Carmel Hospital. She passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Mercy-Columbus Hospital, surrounded by her daughters. She was 80 years old.
Her parents were Jim Robinson and Donna (Reynolds) Robinson. Her mother remarried when she was young, and her new husband, Doyle Nichols, raised her. She adored Doyle and considered him her father.
At a young age, Betty's grandma Annie nicknamed her "Booper", and it stuck throughout her life. Betty's father was in the Army while she was being raised and she lived in various communities until high school when they settled in Scammon, KS. She graduated from Columbus High School.
Betty married Tom Chesnutt in May of 1961. She then married Lee Thompson in October of 1991.
Betty loved all things, especially her grandchildren. They were her joy and she always treasured her time with them. She was an excellent seamstress and took great pride in it. She was the happiest in her yard caring for her flowers, trees, and veggies. Her husband Lee would say Booper was never without a cup of coffee, a cigarette, and her water hose while she was outside.
She was known for having a beautiful yard and passed this down to her children and grandchildren. She was also known for being a hostess and she had an open door when it came to cooking for her family and friends. She took great pride in her huge Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners. Cooking was her love language to all who knew her.
She was also an animal lover who loved her dogs, cats, and feeding her birds. Before Lee's passing, much of their time was spent outside in what was affectionately called the "petting zoo". They also took in numerous stray animals.
She worked in factories most of her life but eventually retired from the printing business. She even worked part time at the Columbus American Legion, a job she dearly loved because of the relationship built with the patrons. Her daughters and friends can share may funny stories of her time there. She had a giving heart,and enjoyed giving to St. Jude and Mosaic in SEK.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Lee in 2023; and a son in law, David Fegan.
She is survived by four daughters, Michele Nichols Shafe and husband Harry of Tulsa, OK, Stephanie Chesnutt Newberry and life partner Greg Coffman of Sedgwick, KS, Cheri Chesnutt Froelich of Columbus, KS, and Leslie Chesnutt Lackamp and husband Patrick of Pittsburg, KS; three step children, Ronda Thompson Ross and husband Rick, Robert Thompson and wife LaJeneana, and Rochelle Thompson Feist, all of Oklahoma; six grandchildrden, Dustin Newberry of Kansas City, MO, Derrick Newberry and wife Sarah of Broken Arrow, OK, Jay Froelich and wife April of Wagoner, OK, Jessica Burdick and husband Sam of Dearing, KS, William Lackamp of Pittsburg, KS, Daniel Shafe and wife Courtney of Johns Island, SC, and Cynthia Shafe of Johns Island, SC; a half brother, Jimmy Robinson and wife Cindy Bakersfield, CA; and five great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Park Cemetery in Columbus, KS. Pastor Duane Elmore will officiate. Afterwards, the family will gather at Booper's farm where the grandchildren are planning special events, dinner, Booper's homemade ice cream, and karaoke.
Services are entrusted to the Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Welch, OK.
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