Betty Sue Bock

Betty Sue Bock (born in Tupelo, MS 1946), said goodbye to her earthly family and was reunited with her heavenly pack Tuesday, July 28, 2020. After having defeated bladder cancer twice and fighting her way through a host of other physical ailments over the last few years, it was a cocktail of lung cancer mixed with the incompatible treatment for additional medical complications that created a series of Catch-22s which ultimately took advantage of the vulnerability of her frail human body that was no longer worthy of containing her wild and free, unbridled spirit.

In her younger years, Betty was a fearless socialite with a bit of a rebellious streak. She spent the majority of her working years in the hospitality and entertainment industry either waitressing or bartending. An award-winning dart player and billiards champion, Betty fit right in working as a server and bartender. Her fearlessness proved to be quite the asset as well as it wasn’t uncommon to find her breaking up a pub brawl with either a barstool, broken bottle, or shattered pitcher in hand. It’s been rumored that the police had to take her in for accusations of assault with a deadly weapon more than once! Still, Betty’s fiery personality was well-loved by many patrons of the establishments in which she worked and she proved successful in creating a fun environment where others could let loose and just enjoy life.

In later years, Betty spent more time on her own personal peace and enjoyment, and on calming the rebel within. One of the hobbies Betty missed most after moving to St. Louis was watching and feeding flocks of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds don’t generally travel in flocks, but Betty’s sure did! She had eight 1.5L feeders that she would have to completely fill at least once a day. She went through an average of ten pounds of sugar every two weeks creating the sweet nectar her tiny birdies could not resist. Other hobbies included creating t-shirts, and making dream catchers. Eventually, she relaxed enjoying a fresh cup of coffee on the deck and marveling in the beauty of the garden and unique collection of outdoor trinkets that adorned her yard. Most recently, she discovered the soft, comforting miracle of Minky blankets, she quickly began amassing a collection of her own. At last count that collection included over a dozen blankets, several scarves, and a handful of delightfully fuzzy pillowcases, not to mention the ones she collected for her beloved Chihuahua, Mia.

Betty called San Diego, CA home for nearly fifty years before moving to St. Louis in 2013. The last months of her life spent at home in San Diego were spent caring for her late husband, Charles Edward Bock, as he succumbed to the tragedy of ALS. After losing her beloved husband and best friend on May 31, 2013, Betty was compelled to leave her mountains and move to St. Louis, MO where she would spend her remaining years with the rest of her family.

Betty Sue Bock is survived by her two daughters; Pamela Jo Skelton and Wendy Mae Lind (Greg Lind). She also leaves behind her four grandchildren, Andrea Rene’ and Brandon Edward Skelton (Gabby), as well as Ashlie Yvonne Lind and Christine Marie Van Dorn (Zane Van Dorn). Perhaps the most difficult family members for her to let go were her six amazing great grandbabies, Indigo Elise and Gabriel Thomas Horton, Seth Damon Eason, Malikai Ayden Metcalf, Caleb Allen and Vaeda Mae Van Dorn, she was so eager to watch grow to achieve their full potential.

Her family has chosen to hold a small intimate memorial, for close relatives only, in honor of Betty and in order to respect her desire to keep the last moments of her life private and personal. Due to the risks associated with the spread of COVID-19, the family feels it safest and most responsible to forgo a visitation and/or large gathering of loved ones. They are already mourning the loss of one great life and cannot, in good conscience, risk the harm of any more. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made directly to the family to help cover the financial burden acquired during hospitalizations and following their loss. Pamela Skelton, 9532 Theodosia Ave., St. Louis, MO 63114.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful physicians, which showered their support for Betty during her weakest moments, in her final days.