Betty Sue (Delaney) Wims

Betty Sue (Delaney) Wims, 81, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025.  She was born at Grim-Smith Hospital in Kirksville, Missouri, on June 22, 1943, to the late Virgil T. and A. Josephine (Dye) Delaney.  She was the second eldest of four siblings:  the late John Joseph “Jack” Delaney (spouse: Verlee) of Kirksville, Missouri, the late Mary Jolene  (Delaney) Long (spouse: Mike) of Wellington, Florida, and Traci Ann (Delaney) Hill (spouse: Todd) of Brashear, Missouri.

Betty attended Olive Hill Rural Grade School in Adair County, Missouri, and graduated from Brashear High School.  She moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and entered the workforce as a keypunch operator at Waddell & Reed at the beginning of the computer era. She also held jobs at Baptist Hospital and Hallmark Cards.  

While in Kansas City, she met and married the love of her life, the late Larry Jack Wims, who was beginning his career as a banker at Laurel Bank. Betty and Larry had two children:  Shelly Lynn (Wims) Mullins (spouse: Steve) of Nashville, Tennessee., and Travis Martin Wims (spouse: Ame Kee) of Otsego, Minnesota.  In 1974, they moved to Wellington, Missouri, where Larry served as Vice President of Lafayette County Bank for several decades.  

When her children reached their teens, Betty returned to work as a data clerk at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP). Through her work, she was able to extend her education. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College in 1995 and earned the position of International Standards Organization (ISO) 9000 Quality Auditor. By the time she retired 25 years later, she was Manager of the LCAAP ISO Audit Department. 

As the eldest surviving matriarch of the Delaney line, Betty loved nothing more than spending time with her family. She has four surviving grandchildren:  Ashely Nicole Wims of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kaden Bradley Wims of Otsego, Minnesota; and Delaney James Mullins and Tinsley Lauren Mullins of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Betty was also known as a gifted seamstress and made countless incredible pieces, including “Memory Bears” and heirloom quilts for family members on her 1961 Singer sewing machine. As a great lover of all sports, especially the Kansas City Chiefs and University of Missouri Tigers, Betty created the “MIZZOU Vest” that became a coveted tradition at her son’s fraternity, even meriting its own Facebook page. Additionally, when the COVID-19 pandemic was in full force and personal protection equipment (PPE) supplies were at their highest demand, at the age of 76, Betty sewed well over 1,000 cloth masks for first-responder service workers. Betty was also known for making the best biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, and Christmas candy.

Betty will be interred alongside her husband, Larry, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, in February 2025. Per her request, no public services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Wellington Missouri Boy Scouts Troop 713 (c/o Amos Todd, 3898 Old Santa Fe Trail, Wellington, MO 65097) or the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM, 2380 Wycliff St. #102, St. Paul, MN 55038). 

In the words of one of her beloved grandsons, “All done, Gah-ma!” 

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