Funeral Services for Betty Lou Counts, Age 93 of Winona, Missouri will be held on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 at The Yarber Mortuary, Winona, Missouri, beginning at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 from 6-8 PM. Interment will be in The Horner Cemetery, Winona, Missouri.
Betty Lou (Redman) Counts, 93, of Winona, Missouri, was born on January 11, 1933, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Paul John and Katie Lee (Norris) Redman. She departed her loving family on April 17, 2026, in Mountain View, Missouri.
Betty was united in marriage to Ernest Counts on May 28, 1948, in Salem, Arkansas. To this union, three children were born: Joe Counts, Johnny Counts, and Earlene Crider.
She is survived by her children, Johnny Counts (Becky) and Earlene Crider (Jim); daughter-in-law, Beverly Counts; grandsons, Lesley Counts (Tami) and Wesley Counts; granddaughters, Jimalene Osburn (Tom), Jamie Buckner (Greg), Johna Jones (Rex), and Brandi Dooley (Derek); great-granddaughters, Hailey Bush (Trenton), Gretchen White (Dustin), Emilee White, Huntlee Dooley, Katie Lou Osburn, Beth Counts, and Sara Counts; great-grandsons, Gunnar Dooley (Alaila), Gustin Dooley, Jerry Dooley, and Keaton Watson; great-great-grandchildren, Callum Bush, Caston Bush, Violet White, and Jainee White, Marie and Cody (Wesley); her siblings Linda Washburn, Richard Redman (Kelly), Paul Redman (Carolyn), and Melvin Redman.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Counts; her son, Joe Counts; granddaughter, Lisa Lynn Counts; great-grandson Cody Counts; her parents, Paul and Katie Redman; brothers, Rob Redman, Mackey Redman, and Dale Redman; and sisters, Wanda Yeager and Donna Washburn.
She spent most of her young years in Winona before marrying the love of her life at age 15. They started their family on Rocky Creek. Betty worked for several years at Paramount before later taking a job at Angelica. However, much of her life was devoted to working alongside Ernest on their farm. Together, they raised their family, tended a large garden, milked cows, hauled hay, and cared for cattle, hogs, and chickens. Betty worked the farm as hard as any man, carrying buckets of water, hauling hay, and caring for all the animals. Their farm home was always open to everyone. Family, friends, and anyone else who stopped by were welcomed with love, laughter, and plenty of food prepared by Betty Lou. And if you tried to say no, she would keep asking if you were hungry until you finally ate something. Later in life, due to Ernest’s health, they moved to a smaller farm west of Winona.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great-grandkids, and all the extras that they brought with them. She loved to visit with people and reminisce. Betty Lou was the best storyteller and made everyone laugh. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. We love you, Granny, a hundred bushel and ten o’clock.
