Minister Betty Jean Buckner Anderson was born April 25, 1944 in St. Louis County, Missouri to the union of Joe Sr. and Suretha Buckner. She was the fourth of nine children. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Joe Jr., Willie, Russell, Kent, and Carlton; sisters, Laverne, and Julia; daughter, Tracy Duke; son, Clark "Tony" Duke; grandson, Jared Duke.

Betty accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by her Pastor, the late Reverend Wash Yates of Southern Mission Baptist Church in Kinloch, Missouri. She was a member of the choir and led many solos. She later became a member of Devotional Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Nathaniel Dunn and Pastor Earbie Bledsoe, where she attended services regularly and mesmerized the congregation with her beautiful singing voice.

Betty received her formal education in the Kinloch, Missouri public school system. She attended Dunbar elementary school and graduated from Kinloch Senior High School. She was a proud graduate of the class of 1963 where she achieved awards and recognition in everything she participated in and made lifelong friends. She was a leader in the chorus group and the captain of the majorette team. She was known as the "Block Party Queen" because she hosted many parties in the backyard of her home in Kinloch.

She enjoyed activities and reunions with her classmates over the years. Upon graduation, Betty married her former husband (Duke) and bore five children. She resided in University City, Missouri where she worked and was very involved in the community and schools. She served on the political campaigns of many including Betty L. Thompson, Hazel Erby, Marva Redd Lloyd and many more.

Education was very important to her so she was very vocal about the educational process for our African American children in the district. She was an active participant in the PTA, and you can find her popping up at the school to check on her children and the teachers at any time of the day.  She attended Baptist Church of the Holy Communion (BCHC) in University City, MO under the leadership of Pastor Bartlet L. Wilkerson. Betty was an active member of the choir and many other committees in the church. Her faith in God grew, he called and she answered. Her ministry began in 1988 and she preached her first sermon at BCHC. Several years later she traveled much of the US and beyond such as Africa, Australia, Austria, and New Zealand spreading the Word of God. She was a woman on fire and she touched many lives!

Betty's life's journey took her to many places such as having her own resale/retail store, Mortuary School, selling Watkins products and MaryKay, and her ministry. However nothing would prepare her for the loss of her oldest son Clark "Tony" Duke in 1996. Her strong faith in God helped her through and deepened her desire to help other families become organ and tissue recipients through donation. She joined Mid America Transplant as a volunteer before becoming a full time employee as a Donation Coordinator. Her passion drove her to receiving 100% of the organs or tissue she requested.  After reuniting with her high school sweetheart, Betty married the love of her life, George Anderson on December 27, 2003. She relocated to Milpitas, CA and began her new life. She acquired a host of new friends, a new church family, and her ministry took her around the world. After retirement in 2016, Betty and George moved to Maryville, IL to be closer to family and friends where she was affectionately
known as "Aunt Betty".

On the morning of April 13, 2023 Betty received her heavenly reward and passed peacefully at her home.  Leaving to cherish her memory are her daughter, Claudia J. Davis of St. Louis, MO, one son, Curtis (Amber) Duke of Belleville, Illinois; and daughter, Catherine Renee Duke of Fort Worth, Texas, one sister Kathy Burton of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Patrick Nelson, Ciara Duke, Jordan Davis, Morgan
Duke, Cayden Duke, and Archer Duke; special cousins, Nadine Bledsoe and Michael Johnson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives; dearest friend, Sister Sally Hatter; precious caregiver/friend, Tamara Smith Collier.