Betty Laura Varnell 93, of Osawatomie, KS passed away on Monday November 10, 2025, at Vintage Park Assisted Living in Osawatomie, surrounded by her loved ones and staff from Vintage Park and Brighton Hospice. Funeral services will be held Fri. Nov. 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel 32665 Lexington Ave. De Soto KS, with visitation starting at 12:30 PM prior to services. Graveside services immediately following at De Soto Cemetery, De Soto KS.
Betty was born March 1, 1932, in De Soto, KS to Joseph and Bessie (Asbury) Grazier. She graduated from De Soto High School in 1950 and later was united in marriage to Ray Varnell. Together they shared three daughters and many grandchildren. They moved to Osawatomie in 1980.
Betty was a member of the De Soto Baptist Church and Faith Baptist Church of Osawatomie and was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW post 6654.
She was very proud of her Cherokee Indian Blood that she carried through her father Joe Grazier. She was born a descendant of the great Nancy Ward, who was known to be the Last Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Indians. She later received a certificate showing her ascendancy and proudly hung that certificate on her wall.
Betty
was an avid reader and at any given time you may have found her reading one of the newspapers she subscribed to or reading a magazine. She also loved crossword puzzles. Our heart breaks as she passed on to go home with God. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be deeply missed.
She was proceeded in death by parents Joe and Bessie Grazier, husband Ray Varnell, sisters Thelma Chance, Laura Ridgeway and Barbara Wilkins.
Survivors include daughters Rhonda Martinez of Kearney MO, Darlene Barbosa of Osawatomie, KS and Della Barbosa of Spring Hill, KS. 8 grandchildren Rachelle Woods, Misty Varnell, Juana Jacquez, Jason Martinez, Pedro Jacquez, Tisha Marta, Johnathan Barbosa and Leticia Jewett, 13 great grandchildren Eric, Alec, Christine, Amaya, Anthony, Maxwell, Jace, Kole, Gavin, Karina, Leo, Milo, and Josephine, 4 great greatgrandchildren Vincent, Vinley, Jaxson and Cordelia.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Betty L. Varnell, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
14
Nov
32665 Lexington Avenue
De Soto, KS 66018
Funeral Service
14
Nov
32665 Lexington Avenue
De Soto, KS 66018
Graveside
14
Nov
34500 W 87th Street
De Soto, KS 66018
