Betty Arlene Goad Gregory

November 23, 1933 – August 7, 2026

Betty Arlene Goad Gregory, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, missionary, musician, educator, and faithful servant of the Lord, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2026, at the age of 92. Born on November 23, 1933, in St. Louis, Missouri, Betty lived a remarkable life of faith and service, dedicating more than four decades to Christian missions and ministry.

Betty was the daughter of Roy Lee Goad and Shirilda Mae Mincher Goad. She grew up in St. Louis in a close-knit family where faith, church, music, and caring for others were central to her life. From an early age, Betty developed a deep love for music. She studied piano, viola, and clarinet and became actively involved in church activities and ministry.

Betty graduated from Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She later earned a Master of Arts degree from the same institution and a Master of Religious Education degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. She also attended Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas.

While in college, Betty became active in the Baptist Student Union and served as a summer missionary in Washington and Oregon. During those formative years, she sensed God's call to devote her life to missions—a calling that would guide her for decades to come.

It was also during her college years that Betty's friendship with a young preacher, Lester Laverne Gregory, blossomed into a lifelong love. Their first date was on October 31, 1953. They married on May 28, 1955, at First Baptist Church in Kirksville, Missouri. The Gregory’s celebrated their honeymoon attending the Baptist World Alliance meeting in London, UK, and visiting several other European countries, and traveling to countries in the Holy Land. Together, they built a marriage centered on their faith and a shared commitment to Christian service.

In June 1958, Betty and Laverne were appointed as Southern Baptist foreign missionaries to Costa Rica. There, they studied Spanish, and the couple began what would become a lifetime of international ministry. They remained in Costa Rica for nearly 20 years, serving through teaching and the distribution of Christian literature. Their ministry included establishing warehouses throughout Central and South America, traveling extensively, coordinating radio and television programs, administering mission work, planting churches, and sharing their gifts with the communities they served. Betty taught music and crafts and used those talents as another way to share her faith and connect with others.

During their missionary years, Betty and Laverne welcomed two sons, Mark Leroy Gregory and David Edward Gregory. Mark traveled to Costa Rica as an infant, and David was born there. Their sons grew up immersed in the family's missionary life.

In 1974, they transferred to Mexico, where she taught piano and religious education courses at the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary in Mexico City. She also served as a National Young Woman's promoter. Later in 1979, Betty and Laverne were reassigned to the Baptist Spanish Publishing House in El Paso, Texas. Betty served as assistant to the director of sales and field services, helping make Spanish-language Christian literature available to churches and communities throughout Central and South America, Canada, and Spain. During their years of service in El Paso, they assisted the Baptist Sunday School Board, Nashville, TN (Lifeway Resources), to begin the distribution of Spanish literature product. This took them to many states and the provinces of Canada.

In 1998, after approximately 40 years of missionary service, they retired to the Baptist Retirement Community, San Angelo, TX. They were involved in many activities such as the Auxiliary and Tuesday night prayer meeting. She and Laverne then spent 2 years with the Christian Service Corps, continuing much of the work to which they had devoted their lives, making it a total of 42 years of service. In 2021, they moved to Opelika, AL, to be closer to their family, primarily their grandchildren!

Betty's life was marked not simply by the places she traveled or the work she accomplished, but by an unwavering trust in God. Through changing countries, assignments, and seasons of life, she believed the Lord faithfully directed each step of her journey. As Betty reflected on her years of ministry, she expressed that the Lord had been an excellent leader and that she and Laverne never had to doubt they were where He wanted them to be.

Betty is survived by her beloved husband, Lester Laverne Gregory (of 71 years of marriage); her son, David Gregory and his wife, Merri Lynn Gregory; her grandchildren, Brighton Gregory, Brylee Gregory, and Braden Gregory; Brylee's fiancé, Keshav Laul and Braden's wife, Ilyssa Gregory. She is survived by other extended family and loved ones living in their hometown of Kirksville, MO, including several nieces and nephews, Melodie (husband David) Sevits, Marilyn Gregory, Kevin Gregory and Brad Gregory. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Sorenson. She was preceded in death by her son, Mark Leroy Gregory.

Betty leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of faith, love, music, education, missions, and service. Her influence reaches far beyond her family and friends to the countless people, churches, missionaries, and communities touched by her ministry across several nations. Missions was more than an occupation—it was the calling of her life. She answered that calling faithfully and spent her years serving others alongside the husband she loved. Her life was a testament to a simple and enduring faith: trusting God, following His leading, and using the gifts He had given her to bless others.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the staff at Dadeville Healthcare Center for their compassionate, unwavering care and support of Mrs. Betty where she was a resident since 2023. The family is forever grateful for each of you and for the kindness you showed Betty throughout her time in your care. Betty's journey of service has come to an end, but the legacy of her faith and love will continue through the lives of those she touched. She faithfully answered God's call, loved her family deeply, and spent her life serving others. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.