St.
Clair County Obits
MARY BETH (ELIZABETH) CAUTHON
St. Clair Courier
May 25, 2001
Page 20
Mary Beth (Elizabeth) Cauthon, age 71, of Weableau, peacefully made
the transition from this life to the next of Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at
her farm home with her husband, George, by her side.
Born May 3, 1930, Mary Beth was the fourth and youngest child of
Harvey John and Mary Anna Squire Todd. She attended grade school at
King’ Prairie and graduated from Osceola High School in 1948. During
her senior year in high school, she became engaged to George after he
proposed to her on the school bus.
On June 4, 1949, at Osceola Baptist Church, with Rev. Albert Gastin
officiating, Mary Beth was united in marriage to George. In 1999, Mary
Beth and George celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a
reception at Gerster Baptist Church.
Mary Beth was the mother of three children, David, Bernita, and Sharon
Cauthon. After living and working for several years in and around the
Kansas City area, Mary Beth and George returned to St. Clair County
and made their home on George’s home place on King’s Prairie. Before
retiring in 1998, Mary Beth worked at Cattleman’s Auction Company and
the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds office.
In retirement, Mary Beth and George enjoyed attending Blue Grass
festivals all over Missouri and Arkansas. Mary Beth was a member of
Gerster Baptist Church.
A friend to all, to know Mary Beth was to share her love of music,
gardening, reading, genealogy, and quilting.
Mary Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey J. and Mary A.
Todd, and her brother Ernest Todd.
Survivors include her husband, George J. Cauthon of the home; son
David Cauthon, Arlington, Va.; daughters, Bernita Cauthon of Kansas
City, Sharon J. Cauthon of Blue Springs; sisters, Lettie Mae Thurman
and her husband, James of Kansas City, Ester Dureka and her husband
Paul of Raytown; nephews, nieces, neighbors, and a host of friends.
Mary Beth had a desire to live and see the year 2000 stating many
times “how wonderful that would be to live to see the start of a new
millennium.” Mary Beth gave her children, whom she saw grown into
responsible, caring adults, roots for a foundation and wings to sour
to achieve their dreams. She and George were proud that all three
children attended and graduated from college.
Mary Beth is now at peace. As the songs says, “There’ll be no sorrow
there, no more burdens to bear, no sickness, no pain, no more parting
over there and forever I will be with the one who died for me, what a
day, glorious day that will be.”
Last Tuesday, Mary Beth answered the call and “when the roll was
called up yonder” she was there. She will be missed.
Services for Mary Beth were held Saturday, May 19 at Gerster Baptist
Church with Rev. Tom Sharp and Rev. Francis Leslie, officiating.
Music was “How Great Thou Art,” and “When the Roll is Called UP
Yonder” by Gerster Baptist Church Choir.
Casketbearers were Calvin Broom, Dude Vaughn, Johnny Hammond, Walter
Hammond, Zane Hammond, and Jimmy Estes.
Interment was in King’s Prairie Cemetery under the direction on
Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola.
Submitted by Marie Reynolds
