Betty Jean

Hickox

Graveside services for Betty Jean Hickox, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, November 13, 2026, at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Betty Jean Hickox, daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Patterson and Frieda Osborn Patterson, was born on June 8, 1936 in Ava, Missouri. She entered into eternal rest on November 9, 2026. She graduated from West Plains High School in 1954 and married her high school sweetheart, Gary Dee Hickox, on September 7, 1954. After their wedding, Gary returned to Groton, Connecticut where he was stationed in the Navy and Betty followed later. Betty traveled by herself to Connecticut via Greyhound bus to join Gary. It was the first of many adventures as a Navy wife. For the next 22+ years she was a devoted Navy wife, raising children often being both mother and father when Gary was deployed. Their life took them to both coasts and many wonderful experiences. Betty was among a group of wives who were the first women aboard a submarine where each was given a turn to pilot the sub. She was active in organizations for Navy wives and officers’ wives, serving in various capacities including President of the Officers’ Wives Club at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. But her favorite roles were serving as scout leader, room mother and PTA member. She made childhood memorable for her children making sure holidays were magical and exploring every state they lived in. She loved to travel and visited 7 countries and all but a handful of states in her lifetime. As Gary’s career in the Navy came to an end, Betty’s career as an entrepreneur and craftswoman began. She opened The Country Fair in 1979 selling craft supplies, gifts and antiques. She taught hundreds of women quilting and cross-stitching over several years. When The Country Fair closed, Betty and Gary traveled the Midwest selling their craft creations at craft shows. Betty enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Rambling Rose Garden Club for many years. She was also a founding member of P.E.O. Chapter MC in West Plains. She was an avid reader and enjoyed antiquing and crafting. Above all else, her greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and aunt.

She is survived by her three children, David Hickox and wife, Debbie of Broomfield, Colorado, Karen Garnett of West Plains, and Linda Schartz and husband, Stacey of West Plains; six grandchildren, Mark Hickox and wife, Lisa of Broomfield, Colorado, Matt Garnett of Boulder, Colorado, Jon Garnett of Corinth, Texas, Andrea Battreal and husband, Caleb of West Plains, Samantha Fox and husband, Zach of West Plains, and Joe Schartz of Kansas City, Missouri; six great-grandchildren Henry, Charlotte and Poppy Battreal, Emmett, Cash and Maddox Fox all of West Plains; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Her parents, husband, mother-in-law, Esther Hickox, father-in-law, William Hickox, her two brothers, Jay Patterson and wife Judy, and Lowell Patterson, preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to NHC C-ward (Memory Unit), and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.