Bettye Joyce Stauts, 84, of Hutchinson, died November 14, 2023 at Hospice House. She was born October 3, 1939, in Marshall, TX, to Charleston Hargrove and Tennie Lee (Waldrop) Stauts.
Bettye graduated from Longview High School in 1957. She married James McMahan in 1958, and they raised their four children in Great Bend, Kansas. She was very involved in her children’s activities and various community events. She volunteered as a Cub Scout Leader, Camp Fire Girl Leader, Sunday School teacher, and PTA President for many years. She enjoyed cheering (loudly) at ball games and attending special school and church events. When the children were older, she worked for over 10 years as the office manager for a local orthodontist.
Bettye married James Phelps in 1980 and moved “back home” to Texas in 1981. While living in Texas, Bettye loved spending time with her friends, children, and grandchildren. She continued to work as a dental office manager until she finally retired at age 70. In 2012, she moved in with her eldest daughter and son-in-law in Hutchinson, where she immediately made new friends and discovered new activities. Bettye was an avid reader and enjoyed volunteering at the Hutchinson Public Library, attending 2 Bible study groups, and a monthly Book Club. She rarely missed “coffee” with her friends twice a week. She was always busy - except on Thursdays, which was her “Do -Nothin’ Day.” Bettye had a strong Christian faith and was a life-long Baptist. She was a member of First Southern Baptist Church, Hutchinson.
Bettye is survived by: children, Belinda Gayle (Gary) Bagby of Hutchinson, KS, James Bryan (Mary) McMahan of Sturgis, SD, Debra Lynn (Earl) VanRanken of Medicine Lodge, KS, Jerry Duane McMahan of Gilbert, TX; brother, Robert “Bobby” Lee (Mildred) Stauts of Ocean Springs, MS; grandchildren, Jason (Tara) McMahan of Royse City, TX, Aubrey (Chris) Broach of Farmersville, TX, Michael (Jessie) Ashley of San Diego, CA, Ryan Keast of Winnemucca, NV, Katlyn West of Attica, KS, Kilie West of Wilmington, NC, Brianna Bagby of Topeka, KS; great-grandchildren, Keagen Broach, Levi Broach, Spencer McMahan, Tyler McMahan, Brooke McMahan, Holden Ashley, baby girl Ashley (due in February 2024), Elliot Solis, and Isabellah Solis. Bettye also leaves behind many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and her best friend for over 50 years, Sherry Kerns, Wichita, KS.
Bettye was preceded in death by: parents; sister, Naomi Smith; brothers, Charles Ray Stauts and Russell Status, and her ex- husbands, James Dean McMahan and James Richard Phelps.
Memorial Service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at First Southern Baptist Church, 1201 E 23rd Ave, Hutchinson, KS with Pastor Roy Jaye officiating. Burial will follow at a later date in Texas. Friends may sign her book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until the day of service at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Southern Baptist Church or Hutchinson Public Library, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.