Betty Haines

Bethsheba Jane Wommack Haines, age 96, passed away at her home in Olney, MO on March 10, 2026. Betty was born June 22, 1929, on the Wommack family farm in rural Millwood in the home built by her grandparents, Bethsheba Jane Moore and Thomas Phillips Miller. Betty was the fifth of seven children born to Joseph Benton and Kathryn Sands Miller Wommack. Betty’s siblings include: Joseph Benton, Jr., Thomas Phillips Miller, Richard Ernest, Mordecai Miller (died in infancy), Kathryn Rebecca, and Henry Edwin Wommack. Betty was educated at St. Alphonsus School in Millwood, MO for grades 1 through 10, then continued her education at Silex High School, graduating in 1947. She was a star athlete on the basketball court and softball field. On June 25, 1949, Betty married William Wirt Haines III, the son of Ruth Whiteside Ebaugh and William Wirt Haines II of Olney, MO. Bill and Betty were united in marriage in a double wedding ceremony, which included her sister, Kathryn Rebecca Wommack and William Wendell Edelen. The big event was featured in the St. Louis newspaper. Bill and Betty were married for 73 years. Bill Haines preceded his wife in death on February 4, 2023. Five children were born to this marriage: William Wirt IV, Bethsheba Jane, Ernest Edwin, Rex Benton, and John Charles. They also helped raise one granddaughter, Courtney Lee. Betty was an active homemaker married to a friendly, easy-going, true business man. Bill sold cars for 70 years. Meanwhile, Betty was a busy lady keeping the home in order and the children in line. She was organized and active, yet also enjoyed her leisure time with neighbor ladies and family. Whether she was fishing, playing pinochle or bridge with friends, going to bingo with her husband and other couples in the area, or going out with Howard and Myrt Sanderson, Dennis and Vivian Sullivan, or Bud and Alice Erbe, Betty had fun. She was an energetic woman who accomplished her goals. Betty loved traveling to wonderful places inside the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. She and Bill explored Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Lake of the Ozarks, and Branson just to name some of their favorites. Betty could be found many times sitting on a creekbank fishing and watching kids playing in the water. Attending her children’s sports activities, and later keeping up with Courtney, the neighbor kids, and all grandchildren and great grandchildren kept Betty happy and on the go. Betty Haines was a country girl. She loved riding horses with her siblings, Jay, Tom, Ernie, Becky, and Hank Wommack. She enjoyed frog gigging, mushroom hunting, and being outdoors. She had many interesting sayings and was a self-proclaimed doctor to her family. She shared her husband’s interest in country music and baseball. She was an avid reader and was a whiz at “Wheel of Fortune” and crossword puzzles. Betty is survived by four of her five children: Jane Kientzy and husband Steve of Silex; Ed Haines and friend Debbie Bertrand of Marion, IL; Rex Haines and wife Barb Kientzy Haines of Silex; John Haines and wife Darla Sue Mudd of Mexico, MO. Her sister-in-law, Mary Grothaus also survives. In addition, she is survived by her nine grandchildren: William W. Haines V (Sarah), Stephen Haines Kientzy (Teresa), Gina Bethsheba Kientzy Harris (Caleb), Benton John Haines (Jessica), Courtney Lee Haines Rhodes (Austin), Michael Kientzy Haines (Emily), Morgan Nicole Haines Palliser, John “Jake” William Haines, and Nicholas Ernest Haines. Fourteen great-grandchildren survive: Olivia Rebecca Haines, William “Bly” W. Haines VI, Andrew Stephen Kientzy, Natalie Grace Kientzy, Rylan Jane Harris, Kasen Dean Harris, William Benton Haines, Jackson Benedict Haines, Connor Michael Rhodes, Alizabeth “Allie” Jean Rhodes, Tripp Kenneth Palliser, Levi Daniel Palliser, George Scott Haines, Grant Rex Haines; and one great-great grandchild, Waylon Walker Hulett, and one scheduled to arrive this month. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her siblings, her son William W. Haines IV, who passed away in 1999, her in-laws, Bill Edelen, Mary Eva Wommack, Anna Mae Wommack, and Rita Wommack. Visitation and funeral services for Betty Haines will be Monday, March 16, 2026. Visitation is 9:30 to 11:00 at St. Alphonsus Church in Millwood with the funeral service to follow. Father Eric Kunz will officiate. Music will be provided by Debbie Mudd, Marlene Sanderson Kut, Steve Sanderson, and Ryan Bibb. Burial will be in the Olney Cemetery. Pallbearers are Betty’s six grandsons: Billy Haines, Stephen Kientzy, Benton Haines, Michael Haines, Jake Haines, and Nick Haines. Honorary pallbearers are her three granddaughters: Gina Harris, Courtney Rhodes, Morgan Palliser. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Olney Cemetery, St. Alphonsus School, Silex R-1 School, or donor’s choice.

Betty Haines

June 21, 1929 - March 10, 2026