Tolbert, Bette L. 1929-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Bette Lou Tolbert, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Carriage Square Convalescent home. She was born on Jan. 26, 1929, in St. Joseph, daughter of the late LeRoy Maxwell Sr. and Eva (Linder) Maxwell.
Bette graduated from Benton High School class of 1944, and St. Joseph Junior College. She married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Tolbert, on Nov. 4, 1947, he preceded her in death in 1997.
Bette worked for the St. Joseph School district for 15 years serving as the first secretary in the St. Joseph School district at Hosea Elementary for seven years, then later as a Para Professional at Benton High School for another eight years. She enjoyed giving piano lessons and accompanied many high school students at the State High School competitions in Maryville, Missouri. She was an accomplished pianist playing at the Ruth Runyon Dance school, and an organist for numerous weddings, and for her church the King Hill United Methodist Church serving also at the Choir director for many years until its closing. She is now a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church.
Bette was very involved and active in our community, proudly serving as presidents of the St. Joseph Library Board, and the St. Joseph School Board, she was a 44 year member of the Progressive Board of Developmentally Disabled, and also served on the Missouri Western Foundation Board. She was a member of the South St. Joseph Progressive association, Daughters of the American Revolution, Carnegie Culture Club, Hyde Forge Questers, Classy Cardinals Red Hatters, Moila Shriners Motorcycle group, Ham Radio Club, Faye’s Knitting Club, and served as a Girl Scout leader in her early years.
After retirement Bette resided at the Carriage Square Nursing home, and enjoyed the companionship and friendship of the fellow residents, she won the first “Queen of Carriage Square”, also competing in the regional queen pageant competition, in Cameron, Missouri. She loved her nurses especially “the Boys” Jordan and Colton. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Mosaic Hospice and Carriage Square staff for their kind service to our granny.
Bette loved people and enjoyed being involved in the community, she also enjoyed teaching ceramics, sewing, crafting, gardening canning, fishing, but most especially spending time with her grandchildren which were her pride and joy.
Bette was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, LeRoy “Bud” Maxwell Jr.
She is survived by a daughter, Bette Diane Schmille, of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Eva Kate (Brian) Cook, Amazonia, Missouri, Matt Schmille, St. Joseph, Trevor (Amy) Schmille, Troy, Kansas, and Rachel (B.J.) Hoskins, of Kansas City, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Emily Kate, Nathan, Megan, Adalynn, Trevor, Alex, Alyssa, Dirk, Derek, and Wade; great-great- grandchildren, Carson, Everly, Emma and Elizabeth; and nephews, Chris and Bruce Wilson, LeRoy “Hank” Maxwell III, and Scott Maxwell.
For a video interview with Bette please log on to https://sjpl.lib.mo.us/oral-history-project/interviews/
There will be a graveside funeral service at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at the Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.
Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
