Betty Stanback Obituary

Betty Lou Stanback (née Vowells) was called to our Heavenly Father on July 29, 2025, at the age of 93, peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation is 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11:00 a.m. August 8, 2025 at St. John LaLande Catholic Church in Blue Springs, Missouri. Burial in Mt Olivet Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or St. John LaLande Catholic Church, Blue Spring, Missouri.
Betty was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 13, 1932, to Roy H. Vowells and Catherine Louise Vowells (née Garner). The oldest of eight children, Betty was a natural leader from an early age. She attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Cardinal Glennon High School, where she developed a deep devotion to our Lord and Mother Mary. That devotion led her to become a novitiate with the Sisters of Mercy in Omaha, Nebraska. Feeling a call to marriage and motherhood, Betty left the Sisters of Mercy, married Lawrence (Larry) Stanback in 1951, and began her family. Betty and Larry were blessed with three children: Mary Therese (Terrie) Taylor, Anna Marie Drummond, and Lawrence Mooney Stanback. Betty worked for AT&T for 32 years, steadily rising through the ranks and retiring in 1986 as a Level 9 senior trainer in engineering. She made many lifelong friends there and often spoke fondly of her career. Following retirement, Betty embraced the opportunity to travel extensively. She enjoyed many cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, and visited numerous destinations throughout the United States and Europe. She especially cherished the exciting Thanksgivings spent in Las Vegas with her girlfriends. Betty found great joy and connection in her 22 years as a member of the TOPS Club MO722 in Blue Springs, Missouri. The club brought her treasured friendships and enduring camaraderie. A devout Catholic, Betty prayed the rosary daily for as long as she was able. When her body would no longer let her hold the beads herself, she listened to it faithfully on television. Her devotion inspired her to make nearly 5,000 rosaries, which were sent to parishes around the world. She even taught her grandchildren to make them-a treasured memory and skill passed down. Throughout her life, Betty was a member of several parishes in the Kansas City area and had been a proud member of St. John LaLande in Blue Springs, Missouri since 2006. Her family is deeply grateful to Father Sean McCaffery for his end-of-life ministries, as well as the eucharistic ministers who brought communion to Betty once she became homebound. Though we will miss Betty tremendously, we are comforted knowing that her faith and devotion carried her into the arms of our Lord, and that she is now at peace.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Catherine Louise; son Lawrence; son-in-law Howard Taylor; sisters Mary Canterbury, Donna Adams, and Sandra Woolridge; and brothers Richard Vowells and Roy H. Vowells, Jr.
She is survived by daughters Mary (Terrie) and Anna; grandchildren Lisa Dubé (husband Michael), Brian Drummond, and Sara Drummond; great-granddaughter Annabela Drummond; sister Patricia Pace; brother Bill Vowells (wife Marge); and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." ~ John 14:1-3
Obituary submitted by family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64075 816-847-4441