Betty Absheer room dedicated at Twin Towers

Betty Absheer was an amazing woman. She loved her Lord, her family and friends, her community and Altrusa.

These were a few of the comments shared Wednesday by her friends, family and co-workers when the Twin Towers’ Altrusa Room was renamed for the first female mayor of Poplar Bluff and 85-year-old community leader who died Oct. 30, 2021.

Poplar Bluff city councilwoman and former Altrusan Jerrica Fox said Absheer was “an advocate for the city, for the constituents of Ward 3, but even more so for women in our community.

“How empowering, she was really putting a seat at the table for ladies in our community to stand up and to know we are powerful. That we can do whatever we set our mind to.”

Fox recalled Absheer “was there for me as a friend, as a former colleague, but more importantly, like a family. For anyone that knows her, knows if she cared about you, you knew it. If you called Miss Betty, she was going to be there, she was going to do everything she could ethically and to the best of her power.

“...our community is blessed we had someone such as Betty to be the forefront for women in our community. It’s a blessing we could name this room after her.”

Absheer’s grandnephew Andy Knowles told the group, “Thank you for this today. It means more to our family than you’ll ever know.”

Knowles talked about Absheer working for the housing authority and Altrusa.

“It’s pretty safe to say those two organizations held a close place in her heart,” Knowles said. “She would have been honored today and extremely humbled to have this room dedicated to her.”

Altrusa Club President Nila Keller said, “We are here today to recognize and honor Betty Absheer, who was a former mayor of Poplar Bluff (and) member of the city council. She was president of our club twice. She was a governor for our district, which goes over four states. She influenced many, many people in our community. She was a wonderful woman. She shared her life, her wisdom with all of us.”

The Poplar Bluff Housing Authority decided to rename the room for Absheer and remodeled the area.

Keller introduced Angela Cochran, who worked with Absheer for seven years at the housing authority.

Cochran recalled Absheer started at the housing authority in April 1970 and she retired in December 1998.

“In the 29 years of working there, she had a lot of stories to tell about growing up on the east side,” Cochran said. “What I remember most, Betty was always laughing at everything, especially me. She is very dedicated to the community, to her ward, her constituents. She had a great work ethic, but yet she made working fun.”

Sharing an office with Absheer, Cochran said, “I got to know how dedicated she was and she was always taking time to make sure she did the right thing, the ethical thing. She was very dedicated and devoted to her church, her family, Altrusa and the constituents of Ward 3. She’ll be greatly missed.”

Keller read a message from Penny Storms, governor-elect of Altrusa Region 8 and one of Betty’s close friends, who could not attend.

“Betty was a blessing to everyone who knew her. She had strong convictions and sage advice,” Storms said. “She loved to laugh, and loved life. She made life fun for those around her because they were sure to be smiling, if not laughing.

“Betty took obligations seriously and never did less than her best on anything she attempted. She was the perfect example of altruism.”

Betty always autographed her work with excellence, Storms said. “For me personally, Betty was a special mentor. She believed in me and helped me be a better person,” she said. “I admired and respected her very much, and felt so blessed to have known her...

“I know she is smiling down today at the place where she dedicated so much of her time and energy, which is now honored with her name.”