Memorials:

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Gideons or to donors choice

Interment:

Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Cabool, MO

Obituary:

JoBeth (McCracken) Hurd ascended to heaven on August 18, 2021 at the age of 83 with her daughters by her side. She was born in Springfield, MO on August 10, 1938, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bronson) McCracken.

At an early age JoBeth moved to Hollywood, CA where she enjoyed horseback riding with her best friend Pat and going to the Chinese theatre for Saturday matinees. One of her fondest memories was being a guest on the Art Linkletter radio show and proclaiming to the surprise of her parents that her dad was a "chicken rancher"; when in reality her father was an elevator operator.

In 1951, JoBeth moved to Houston, MO and it's noted that she made part of the trip from California on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Not long after that she met and fell madly in love with Earmel (Earl) Hurd. Earl who was fresh out of Korea and stationed at Fort Leonard Wood would walk all the way to Houston to see her. They were married on May 12, 1955 and to this union three daughter were born. In their fifty-five years of marriage they certainly experienced their share of ups and downs. However, they never forgot their roots and they valued friends and family with a great amount of devotion.

When JoBeth was thirteen she gave her heart to Christ at the Pleasant Grove Church and began her walk with God. With Earl she was able to find an even stronger relationship with God and that relationship would be the foundation of their lives. They became pastors and were instrumental in leading numerous people to the Lord. In addition to being pastors they conducted a jail ministry that lasted for more than twenty years.

JoBeth had the ability to look past a persons failures and to see the good in everyone. One of her sayings was "we are all God's children". She never spoke bad of any one and she opened her heart to those in need. She was a prayer warrior and lifted her family and friends up in prayer daily. She had a pillow that was heavily stained with tears that were shed when she was interceding for others.

JoBeth was a wonderful mother and grandmother; she always had on hand numerous costumes, wigs and props. It was certain that she would be taking your picture wearing one of them. She was very competitive and was always up for a game of peanut. If you were her partner, then you had better win. Once again, she beat us all by getting her wings first. She was a tiny person with a giant heart. We will always love and miss you GiGi.

JoBeth was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Earl. She is survived by her daughters, Debbie Ebert and husband, Lloyd, Marian Hurd and partner, Bill Barnett and Lori Cox and husband, Craig; two God chosen sons, Michael Hawkins and James Byrd; nine grandchildren, Sarah, Jason, Tamar, Matthew, Cassandra, Tabitha, Zachariah, Kayla and Clayton; fifteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.