Bettye Faye Eiler

Bettye Faye Smith Brandon Eiler , age 86, passed away December 12, 2019. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Bettye’s life will be held December 21, 2019, from 2-4pm at 11012 E 72^nd Terrace, Raytown, MO 64133.

She was born September 4, 1933, in Bonnie Blue, VA to Betty Louise and John Monroe Smith. She had six brothers and sisters. They were loving, playful and extremely close. When Bettye was young she used to twist and wrap her hair around her finger and saw it off with her thumbnail. Her daddy cured that habit by cutting her hair off so that it was short like a boys’. At one point she took in her sister, Kay, to live with her for a few months during their mother’s hospitalization. Her brother, Gerald Ray, also lived with her after his high school graduation until he could get on his feet.

Bettye spent some time in Florida and Washington before meeting Ronald E. Brandon in California where he was stationed with the Navy. She and Ron had 2 boys in Long Beach, CA, and left for Missouri in 1960. She and Steve drove the station wagon with the boat hitched to the back and Ron and John drove the U-Haul. When they arrived in Kansas City they all stayed the night with Ron’s parents. The next morning it was discovered that Ron was still in the bathtub! He had fallen asleep while taking a bath because he was so tired from the non-stop cross-country trip.

The family moved to Raytown in 1964 and Bettye and Ron kept the boys busy in sports, Scouts and camping at the lake. Bettye never found an organization she couldn’t volunteer for and was known and liked by so many. She was a florist for over 50 years and was exceptional at her trade. She even taught classes at floral design school.

Ronald passed in 1979 and Bettye remarried to Earl Eiler in 1983. He was a very good husband to Bettye and they enjoyed traveling to Florida and Texas during the Midwest winters to escape the freezing temperatures.

Bettye was preceded in death by husbands, Ronald Brandon in 1979; and Earl Eiler in 2002; siblings: Bobby Sue, John Reilly, Barbara Jean, Wilma Florence and Gerald Ray.

Survivors include her sons: Steve Brandon and John & Jene Brandon; step children and their spouses: Janice & William Bailey and Rick & Susan Eiler; sister: Glenda Kay Sewell; grandchildren: Amy & David and April & Jose`; step grandchildren: Katie Jo & Matthew, Laura, and Stephen & Brooke; great grandchildren: David, Hayden, Jose` Jr., & Dana, and Carmilita; step great grandchildren: Max, Oliver, Sara, Henry, Max, Abigail and JoAnn; and her canine baby, Princess.

Steve and John were able to keep Bettye in her home in her final days before her passing as those were her wishes. Steve oversaw a lot of her care. Additionally, St. Luke’s Home Care and Hospice provided immeasurable support, and for this Bettye’s family will be forever grateful.

We all loved you Mom and you truly will be missed!

Bettye Faye Eiler , age 86, passed away December 12, 2019. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Bettye’s life will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019, from 2-4pm at 11012 E 72^nd Terrace, Raytown, MO 64133.

For additional details friends may call John Brandon (816)668-8645