Lemons honored for 17 years of mission service

Lemons spent her final days at the mission this month, completing her last Christmas basket project for the needy of the county, as she has done for nearly two decades. Her duties now fall into the capable hands of her daughter, Kim Slavings. The two have been working side-by-side for the past couple of months while Kim learns the ropes of the business.

Several were on hand at Tuesday night's dinner to honor Lemons for her dedication to the mission's efforts over the past several years.

Betty Lemons is shown accepting a resolution from the Mo. House of Representatives from Rep. Billy Pat Wright and Sen. Rob Mayer. Also shown is Lemons with her daughter Kim Slavings, who has been named the new director of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. Lemons stepped down this month after a 17-year long career at the center. [Click to enlarge]

Sen. Rob Mayer, along with Rep. Billy Pat Wright, each presented Lemons with first Senate, then House, resolutions noting her service to the local community through her work at the mission since 1993.

Always with service to others in mind, Lemons and her husband, Harold, already have plans in place to serve in church efforts in the area of Santa Fe, N.M. and other areas of the Southwest.

Before settling into yet another phase of life, however, the Lemons will take advantage of a gift presented Tuesday night to the couple. The Board of Directors of the Stoddard County Mission presented the two with two tickets for an Alaskan cruise.