Betty Lou Sims Moss, 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 24th, 2024.  She was born March 3, 1929, to Joe and Louise P. (Wendling) Emling, both now deceased.  Joe died in 1951, Louise in 1983.
She was a lifelong resident of Du Quoin, graduated Sacred Heart school in 1942, Du Quoin Township High School in 1946, then attended SIU-C for 1.5yrs.  Betty spent many yrs. on the SH School PTA, was a 40 yr. plus member of CDA ct. #795 and a sorority member for many yrs.
On June 17th, 1948, she married Horace Gene Sims at Sacred Heart Church and to this union nine children were born: Brenda, Steve (Teri), Rusty (deceased 2022), Larry (Dianne), all of Du Quoin, Jeff (Noel) of Fenton, MO, Janet (deceased 2010), Don (Christina) of Du Quoin, Chuck (Deanne) of Nashville, TN, Tom (Beth) of Sioux Falls, SD.: Horace Gene passed away July 3, 1972 and she then married Tom Moss on May 26, 1975. They became a blended family with Tom's three children: Vicki (Dale) Spencer, Jaci (Randy) Gregory, and Tommy Joe Moss.   Betty and Tom each had two  grandchildren at the time.  Since that time, the family has grown to over 100 members.  Mom/grandma spent most of  every year planning Christmas presents for all of them.  Her other joy was writing & sending greeting cards all year long & delivering cookie trays around Christmas.  She loved being outside, playing in the dirt, planting flowers & watching birds.
She was a woman of true faith who prayed the rosary daily.
She had a multitude of jobs and positions during her long life, beginning at age 14 when she delivered groceries for her dad's store. She ran a Christmas card business from her home in the 1950-1960s, many will remember her when she managed Handee Mart and worked at Wareco.  In her younger days, she was an avid bowler, played golf, enjoyed the Du Quoin sports teams (esp. football) and was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Betty is survived by 10 of the children, 8 spouses, her bonus daughter Jennah Smith, approximately 80 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, with one great-grandchild on the way, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Extended families: Hills, Bensons, Smiths, Freds & Steeleys.
She was preceded in death by both husbands, daughter Janet, son Rusty, her sister Evelyn Schickedanz, her
stepfather Alfred Malzahn, nephew Bobby Hawkins, great-grandson Ashton Smith, granddaughter Kelsie Johnsen, 5 brothers-in-law and 4 sisters-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin with Fr. Nicholas Junker officiating.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M., Monday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Du Quoin, IL.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish can donate to SH Church for masses, Du Quoin Gold Plate or Perry Co. Humane Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank Fr. Nicholas Junker, Msgr. Thomas Flach, Searby Funeral Home, the Cursillo group the Funeral Dinner Committee, Church and CDA  family, all who prayed for her and Hospice of Southern Illinois.