Community Betterment Association
Community Betterment Organizational Information
Our Association came into existence with the active interest and support of a broad segment of our community. The need for the Association was apparent when we received the results of a community-wide survey. The survey identified specific needs of the community and the Association was formed to address these needs.
When the Association founders realized the scope of the task before it, we felt that we should organize as a not-for-profit corporation. The application was filed and approved by the Missouri Secretary of State on February 21, 2001 (see Charter).
Subsequently, we filed for a Federal Employee Identification number and received this designation on April 4, 2001.
Founding member of the Association represent several local organizations including the following: Jameson Board of Trustees, Jameson Lions Club, Jameson Fire Department, Jameson Christian Church, School Alumni Association. Other members are long-time residents of our community. In addition to the Board of Directors, several interested residents attend our meetings, which are held monthly.
We are organized as a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, which allows an income tax deduction for donations made to Jameson Community Betterment Association.
Group meets every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Lions Club Hall on Main Street.
Current Officers
President Paul Caven
Vice-President Jim Duly
Secretary Ruth Lewis
Treasurer Max Hefley
BEVELY ANN BAUMGARDNER WARD
Beverly Ann Baumgardner Ward, 85, of Jameson, passed away Monday, July 8, 2019 at Daviess County Nursing Home in Gallatin.
She was born Sept. 2, 1933 in Coffey, the daughter of Dr. Paul S. and Bobby Pugh Baumgardner.
Beverly graduated from Coffey High School in 1951. She was baptized at the Coffey Christian
Church and transferred her membership to the Jameson Christian Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, organist, and belonged to the Christian Women’s Fellowship women’s group.
Beverly returned to college when her youngest started first grade and became an elementary teacher. She taught in Jameson R-3 and Covel D. Searcy Elementary in Gallatin for over 30 years. She always laughed and said she never passed first grade. Many, many children learned to read in her classroom and knew she cared about them.
Beverly was a member of Missouri State Teachers Association, the Gallatin Daughters of the American Revolution, Pattonsburg P.E.O. Chapter BC, and Retired Teachers Association. She served as president for many years of the Jameson Community Betterment.
On Feb. 22, 1953, Beverly married Billie Joe Ward and together they shared 63 years before he passed away on March 15, 2016.
Beverly and Billie Joe purchased a farm in Jameson and shared their life there. To their union three children were born: Paula Ann (Randy) Dix of Olathe, KS, Patsy Jo (David) Alvey of Tell City, IN, and Billie Michael (Sandy) Ward of Gallatin. She was grandmother to Sara Lynn (Alex) Rogier, Amy Leigh (Mark) Dix, Tara Nicole (Brad) Sabelhaus, Emily Elizabeth (Aaron) Pennington, Katie Lynn Ward, Kristen Jo (Chad) Skates, and Andrew Michael Ward. She was great-grandmother to Brenna and Grant Rogier, Brady, Cole and Reid Sabelhaus, Ethan and Miles Skates, Whitney and Alice Pennington, and Sid Buffon. She is also survived by her step brother James Read of Coffey.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John and Paul Baumgardner; sister, Nancy Shain and stepmother Bertha Baumgardner as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 12, at the First Christian Church in Jameson. Burial will follow in the Coffey Cemetery, under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Jameson Community Betterment, First Christian Church of Jameson and/or Donor’s Choice in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO, 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.
Beth Marie Wheeler
1956 – 2017
Beth Marie Wheeler, 61, Jameson, Died November 13th with her family by her side. Beth was born on May 19, 1956. She was the fourth of five children born to Mary (Trapp) and Harry Wheeler Jr. of Jameson. She graduated from Jameson High School in 1974.
She graduated from Missouri Western State College with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies in 1977, and Central Missouri State University with a Masters in Recreation and Leisure in 1979.
Beth spent her life serving people. She worked for the University of Missouri Extension 4-H in several counties, and served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives before joining the staff of Governor Mel Carnahan. Later, Beth left the political scene and worked at Northwest Missouri State University and then Missouri Western State University as Director of External Relations. Beth retired from MWSU in February of 2012 after working there for 13 years.
Beth was an accomplished athlete playing basketball in high school and competitive summer softball. She was also on the first Missouri Western women’s basketball team. She enjoyed the challenges of her political races and serving the people of her district as well as working with the Governor.
Beth never forgot where she came from – she was very proud to be from Daviess County and the small community of Jameson. She liked to say, “All roads lead to Jameson.” Beth’s dream for retirement was to return to Jameson and serve the town and its people.
Beth had been a long-time member of the Eastern Star and the Jameson Lions Club. On her return to the area, she served on the North Daviess School Board, the Jameson Community Betterment Board, and the Village of Jameson Board of Trustees.
While on the Village Board she was instrumental in bringing a new water system to the Village in 2016.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Mary an Harry Wheeler and her older sisters, Vicki and Leta Wheeler.
She is survived by her older brother Harry and his wife Annie of Cameron, younger brother Frank and his wife Pam of Blue Springs, three nephews, Brian (Tina) Wheeler, Jordan Wheeler, and Brooks Wheeler; and one niece, Lauren Jacobs; great-nephews, Jackson Wheeler, Jake Wheeler, and Creed Jacobs; and great-niece Piper Jacobs.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Jameson Community Betterment or Village of Jameson. Make checks payable to the Jameson Community Betterment Association.
On a personal note, Beth’s sister Leta started this website. When Leta passed away Beth asked me if I could take it over. I told her I had never been a webmaster before but I’ll try it. Beth assured me that I could do it. She didn’t want the Jameson website to die. She wanted it to be a service to the people of Jameson. I only hope that I have done Beth and Leta proud.
A TRIBUTE FROM A FRIEND
A life lived for helping others, Beth was a catalyst for community growth and rebirth.
She was a problem solver and a warrior for causes she cared about and believed in. She would often take on the role as a good will ambassador, wanting to reach common ground and compromise for all sides. From her ‘drive’ in the Missouri House of Representatives, to her dedicated work at Missouri Western State University, Beth Required her own personal best for each.
Yet of all her accomplishments, nothing was more important to her than her beloved Jameson. She cared deeply for Jameson, and her roots were strong. To Beth, Jameson was home, and home was Jameson, the two were one in the same. She was proud of its history, and had hope for its future.
There were not enough hours in a day, and no day went idle, without Beth investing her time and energy into Jameson; a benefactor of sorts.
She expected nothing in return for support, and needed no rewards or accolades. For Beth, a successful Jameson event was her blue ribbon, and to know family or friends were together “making memories” was her trophy.
The affect from her absence will reach out much further than Jameson and this community. Beth touched so many lives throughout her journey of life; a life so well lived.
There is an expression---To live by example--- I can only try.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Duly