Mary Elizabeth (Bette) Stocks

Mary Elizabeth (Groves) Stocks (Bette), 79, born in Cleveland, OH on May 8, 1943, passed away on August 21, 2022 in the arms of her husband. She was the daughter of Don and Madelaine Groves and faithfully served at Cleveland First Assembly of God church. She graduated from Warrensville Heights High school and went to Evangel College as a music education major in Springfield, Missouri. There she met the love of her life, John Stocks and they married on August 30, 1963.

The two settled in Cleveland, Ohio where Bette taught elementary music in the inner-city schools. They started their family in the Cleveland suburbs. While attending First Assembly of God, Bette sang in the choir, played oboe in the orchestra, led the children’s choir, taught Sunday School, and ministered to many friends and congregants as the associate pastor’s wife.

In 1983, Bette and John moved their family to Lexington, Ohio where John became pastor at Southwood Hills Assembly of God. Bette continued to substitute teach at the local schools and finished her substitute teaching at Mohican Correctional Center in Mansfield, Ohio.

After retirement in 2004, Bette continued faithfully serving at Mansfield Berean Baptist Church. There she participated in her small group and the senior adult group. She ventured on six short-term missions trips including Thailand, Ukraine, and Korea.

In 2008, she suffered a stroke in Bangkok, her last trip. This limited her the rest of her days and was a main reason they left Ohio to move near family in Kirksville, Missouri in 2015. Bette attended  Rehoboth Baptist Church, Shekinah Mennonite Church, and First Assembly of God. She enjoyed coloring pages for all she loved, especially children, attending her ladies’ small group and playing “Farkle” with her friends.

Bette was preceded to heaven by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband and caregiver, John, daughter Laurie Mains of Kirksville, son Jonathan and wife Anne of Noblesville, Indiana, and son Matthew and wife Rebecca of Kirksville. Bette has eight grandchildren: Elias Mains, Josiah Stocks, Sierra Stocks, Ashlynn Stocks, Ryan Stocks, Lukas Stocks, Kayla Lee, and Braelyn Lee. She is also survived by her brother Don and his wife, Christine Groves of Cleveland, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held Saturday August 27 at 10 A.M. at Rehoboth Baptist Church, 100 Pfieffer Ave, in Kirksville, Missouri. The viewing will be at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home from 6-8 on Friday, August 26.

Bette loved flowers, so if you wish to donate, even from your backyard, they are welcome at the viewing. Those who wish to make a donation on behalf of Bette can make them to the Ukraine Bread Fund in care of Berean Baptist Church, and send through the funeral home.

Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home; www.davisplaylehudsonrimer.com.