Betty Cole Lapietra

"Life is just one damned thing after another"

Betty Cole-LaPietra died peacefully on January 8, 2025 in Bradenton Beach Florida.

Betty was born October 13, 1940 to Walter Owen and Katherine Cole, she was the baby of their family of five children. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Ben Bill and Troy Cole, her grandson, Daniel Rumfelt, and great grandson, Calvin James Long.

With her passing she leaves behind her sister Virginia Campbell, her son Max(& Amy) Rumfelt, daughter Amber(& Steve) Meeker, son Gash(& Sara) Caudill, grandchildren Jeremy Long, David Rumfelt, Frankie Sunderland, Shawn Caudill, Brandi Vader, Nicholas Kovash, Zach Kovash, Timothy Kovash, great grandchildren Levi, Sunny & Josephine Long, Van & Dev Sunderland, Harper Vader, Aisha Rumfelt, Milo, Teddy, Daisy, Aria & Ember Kovash, & many much loved cousins, nieces, nephews & countless (truly) friends.

Betty grew up very poor in Bald Knob , Arkansas, but only ever shared  happy memories of her childhood and teenage years.

 She married the love of her life Bill Caudill in 1964,  and although their marriage did not survive, their love & friendship was deep & true & lasted till the end of both their lives. Our dad always introduced her as “Bets, the  bride of my youth and the mother of my children “. 

As a single mom, she worked so hard to provide her children with a  loving and beautiful home.

 She was a Wallpaper Hanger for most of her life and her work ethic is legendary -no one could outwork her. 

She loved parties & dancing(was always the last on any dance floor), gardening, making banana pudding & biscuits(just like her Mama taught her), antiquing, country music, traveling, Anna Maria Island(she never tired of telling people she lived there &  wanted to share its magic with everyone), & a high amount of chaos at all times.

 She hated selfishness, mean people & bras.

Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she loved them all fiercely.

While dementia stole so much of her the last few years, she was a shining light of love in this crazy world and will be missed by so many.

Please join us for her celebration of life on Friday, January 24, 4-7PM at The Beach House, 200 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach FL.

Funeral services will be Tuesday Jan 28, 11AM at Unity Fillmore Chapel, 400 Unity Way Lees Summit MO.

Burial to follow at Dayton Cemetery in Garden City MO.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to those affected by the fires in California-the end of her life was terribly upended by the hurricane here-& she would want to help those who have lost so much.

 A link to donate is attached.

Rest in Peace Mama-you are so loved & will be forever missed.

As long as I’m living, your baby I’ll be❤️