Mary Francis Bilton, 93, of Richmond, died Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond.

Mary was born on April 17, 1927, in Rural Knoxville, the daughter of Francis Marion and Allie (Davis) Hodson.  She was united in marriage to Arthur Conrad "Red" Bilton of Richmond on October 2, 1950; he preceded her in death on October 16, 1993.

Survivors include: two sons, Arthur A. Bilton of Blue Springs, and Robert A. (Kelly) Bilton of Orrick; daughter, Kipper (Brian) Burstert of Richmond; nine grandchildren: Shawna Wrisinger, Heather Hyder, Jimmy Bilton, Artie Bilton, Bobby Joe Schieber, Ashley Smith, Joshua Burstert, Christopher Burstert, and Allie Burstert; 22 great-grandchildren: Hope Bilton, Titus Bilton, Samuel Bilton, Ella Mae Bilton, Selah Bilton, Reed Bilton, Jase Bilton, Nash Bilton, Avery Burstert, Lucy Anne Burstert, Claire Burstert, Brady Hyder, Liam Hyder, Sutton Hyder, Reese Wrisinger, Kennedy Wrisinger, Jackson Wrisinger, Maxwell Wrisinger, Porter Schieber, Parker Anne Schieber, Haylee Smith, and Hudson Smith; sister, Martha Harmon of Richmond; and extended family member, Colleen Bilton, also survives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Bilton and C.j. Burstert, brother, Bill Hodson, Sr., sister, Jean Leamer, and two siblings in infancy, Perry Stone and Rilla Ann Hodson.

Mary was reared and educated in Polo and graduated from Polo High School in 1947.  After high school, she worked at the restaurant in Polo, before moving to Richmond, where she met her husband.  After their marriage, she worked in a clothing store in Richmond and worked at Lake City Arsenal.  She lived most of her life in Ray County.  Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Her faith was very important to her and she was a Baptist through and through; she loved her church, the Henrietta Baptist Church.  She was a great housewife and homemaker and a very hard worker.  Her children say, "she was a very dominate redheaded woman, who you didn't want to make mad; she was a real firecracker."  To her family, she was "Aunt Toot," who her father first started calling her.  She will be dearly missed by all her friends and family.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Thomson Cemetery.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation with funeral services will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020, at Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, with visitation beginning at 12:30 P.M., with services to follow at 1:30 P.M.  Burial will follow services in Thomson Cemetery, northwest of Knoxville.  Please remember to share your memories of Mary with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .