Dolores "Dee" Betts-Karr 88 of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, February 27, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 9, 1936 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Goldie and Damaso Velazquez.
She graduated from St. James Catholic School and the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, and she attended 2 years at the St. Joseph Junior College. She worked in the banking industry as a teller for the First Stock Yards Bank, and the First Bank of Missouri. She was very active in the community, serving as two-time President of the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce, two-time President of St. James Altar Society, she was the Queen of the Jesse Jane Red Hat Society, a member of the Sparta Club, served as the PTA President of St, James School, and worked many funeral dinners for the St. Altar Society. Dee liked to read books and belonged to a book club at the library, and she loved to dance. She was a member of the St. James Catholic Church and the St. James Altar Society.
Dolores was preceded in death by husband, Robert "Bob" Betts, Sr. in 2016, her parents, all her siblings: David Velazquez, Virginia Hepburn-Sandgren, Mary Nikes-Barnett, Josephine Flach-Asbell, Frank Velazquez, and her son in law, Larry Wells.
Survivors include: husband Merrill Karr of the home, daughter, Annette Wells, and son, Robbie (Pam) Betts, Jr. both of St, Joseph, MO, grandchildren: Larry (Ashley) Wells, Eric (Meagan) Wells, Kevin (Tammy) Wells, Nick (Kadence) Wells, Stephanie Windham, Meka (Jeramie) Howery, Sterling Parsons, and Lachelle (Jeff) Lysaght, great grandchildren: Ilanea (Cody) Keenan, Taylor, Lauren, Brandy, Elizabeth, and Brent Wells, Amelia Howery, and Oliver Parsons, and great-great grandchildren: Nova & Gannon Keenan.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 11:30 am at the St. James Catholic Church, Fr. Jonathan Davis Celebrant. The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 pm, Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at a later date at the Mount Olivet Cemetery.
