Betty Joyce Hall joined the church in January 2013, she was a fireball, she loved the
gospel and loved sharing it. She was 72 and went into a coma and never woke up.
I spoke at her baptism and it was only fitting that I spoke at her funeral. We picked her
up for church regularly and she would come out from her Sr housing with her walker and a pull behind carry-on suitcase to hold all her church books,
thanking the Lord that Arthur Itis didn't visit her today and telling us of her studies this
week. I called her my "Omaha Mamma"
When she was in the hospital we got a call from her grandson asking for Bishop Kay
Anderson. He asked Kay to pray with them. Kay realized he was on speaker phone and
they wanted HIM to say the prayer. Kay went up to the bedroom and prayed on speaker
phone. The grandson asked if Kay would be officiating the soon-to-be funeral and he
said yes, We figured they were auditioning him and he must have passed.
When Betty passed away we left messages with her only daughter, Tamara Rich.
Tamara called and Bishop told her we would be honored to do the funeral at our church
and would host a family lunch after. We met Tamara at the church so she could see
where the funeral would be. I talked to her about Betty's temple prep class and how
Betty was planning on going to the temple to be sealed to her husband Donald. Tamara
said she would like to do whatever her mother wants to do so yes, we could have
permission to do her temple work.
Tamara's brothers were pretty much non compliant so she was in charge of everything,
and was paying for everything. She said she didn't want to participate in the funeral, it would be too hard. I offered
to do the life sketch and Kay was the preacher. Kortney Porter, our Relief Society
President offered to make a picture DVD and I asked for family pictures that I had printed
to display in the foyer. Jo Fankhouser made the program.
Tamara made sure to tell me her mom was a changed woman after she was baptized.
She saw it and her family saw it. We saw it as she progressed in the Gospel.
For my life sketch I interviewed Tamara and she gave me the phone number of Betty's
sister, Regina (Jean) and Jean lead me to Reginold (Reggie) who was her sibling that
flew from LA to the funeral.
I had wonderful talks with her family and was able to piece together a nice family
history for her family.
Tamara asked to meet again before the funeral to give me more pictures. At our meeting
she said she wanted to talk. She said she had some concerns about the temple... Oh no,
I thought, she got onto the internet...... I was ready to hear her problems with why Betty
can't go to the temple. Tamara explained that her mother was cremated and would be
buried next to her husband Donald. Before she was buried.... did we need any of her
ashes for the temple. How sweet. No we do things by Proxy.
The funeral was amazing and I think the family really liked our Mormon edge. I went to
thrift stores and got frames to display the 20+ pictures we had printed. I bought some
large mums from Costco to decorate the pulpit area and added some framed pictures of Betty we blew
up. Reggie came and thanked me several times saying this was the best funeral he had
ever attended.
A few hours after the funeral, Jean called me from LA saying how Reggie loved
everything and thanked us for all we did for her sister and family.
Program:
life sketch:
I am going to start with Betty's Maternal grandparents who were a big part of her life. William McKinley (from Emhouse TX) and Julia Stevenson Sanford (from Crosicana TX). They lived in Texas but wanted a better life for their family so they moved to Los Angeles California. They had 4 living children. Their youngest was Betty's mother Ruth. William was a truck driver and a union member for the teamsters. Before she moved from Texas, Grandmother Julia worked for a wealthy white family as a maid who gave her hand me down clothing for her children. Julia washed, starched, ironed and took care of the clothing making them look new again. She knew her clothing and when she moved to LA she became a seamstress.
Ruth, Betty's mother never left her parents home.
Betty Joyce Woods was born on October 28, 1941 to John Earl Woods and Ruth Lerlene Sanford. Her father wasn't in the picture very long but mom had a large family and Betty was the oldest of 8.
The children were Betty, Earl – Deceased, Robert- Deceased, the twins were 8 years younger than Betty, Regina “Jean” and Reginald who was 12 minutes younger, Paula- Deceased, Kevin and John, the baby.
The children were raised by their mother and stepfather, Willie Sherrill. He was a plasterer of walls and made a good living for his wife Ruth and their children. The youngest three children were Willie's.
Willie Sherrill, Ruth's husband moved the family into a rented home at 4517 St Charles Place. It was a beautiful 2 story home with a 2 car garage with plenty of room for their large family. Thirteen in all including grandpa and grandma and the children's favorite aunt Helen. They were a package deal and Willie was a good father.
Grandmother Julia worked for Bold Shirts as a seamstress. At home she sewed quilts, dresses, shirts, and she made pretty much all their clothing. She retired when she was 80 years old.
Grandfather William taught the children how to love people and be kind. He taught them to say their prayers and was a wonderful man.
Grandmother Julia taught the children how to make starch, pay bills on time, not to borrow any money unless you were sure you could pay it back. The children felt their grandparents spoiled them and Ruth depended on them. Betty's grandparents were married for 60 years.
Betty's mom Ruth worked at home being a mom to her children. She was an excellent cook. I asked Betty's sister Jean if her mom could cook one meal for her what would it be.... Greens, black eyed peas, corn bread and fried smothered chicken.
Each of the children had a God mother and Betty Joyce got a true fairy Godmother. Betty spent a lot of time with her calling her “mommy” and traveled many places with her and would be gone in the summer for 2 or 3 weeks at a time traveling to Washington, San Diego, Virginia and Washington DC.
Betty earned money babysitting and would entrust it to her grandmother Julia, then when mother made something she didn't like, she would go and get her money from her grandmother and buy herself a hamburger.
Betty attended school in Los Angeles. She went to 6thAvenue Elementary school and then had some problems with bullys so she was put in a Catholic School for Jr High school.
Her mother Ruth made sure the children were raised Baptist and attended church. She would send them to church and stay home and fix a nice meal for them. One day Betty's little brother Reginald asked his mother why she didn't attend church and she said “they were all hypocrites”. Reginald remembers his mamma giving him 75 cents to contribute to the church. He would give 25 cents to the church, but he really liked candy...... he hopes he will be forgiven....
Betty had to babysit for her siblings a lot and often asked her momma why she had sooooo many kids. Betty would try to whoop them if they were bad and acted as their 2nd mother. If she had chores to do she would make the younger ones do her chores. “She was always trying to get us to do her work.” Said Reggie. As an oldest daughter, I don't see this as a problem. Sometimes she would have a boyfriend over and buy the children treats as bribes, but they always tattled.
Regina and Reginold were the twins, 8 years younger than Betty. Betty and Jean shared a room. When Betty was away for a weekend or wherever, Jean took advantage of the situation getting into her make up, wearing her clothes... Betty knew this was going on. One time in school, they were having the dissecting unit and Betty brought home her live frog she would later dissect. Jean hated it and was scared of the frog. They were getting ready for bed and...... Jean turned down her covers and there was that nasty frog IN HER BED. Jean thought she would have a heart attack and knew it was pay back for Jeans adventures into Betty's stuff while Betty was away.
Betty had to take Regina everywhere she went. A great chaperone. Just what every 16 year old girl wants.... an 8 year old sister to take with you. Jean can still hear her saying “Jean, you're getting on my nerves”!
Those were the days you went to a show for 15 cents. You could stay all day and see as many movies as you wanted. 5 cents for pop corn. 2 bazooka bubble gums for a penny and a cola/ bubble-up or knee-hi for 10 cents. Betty roller skated and ice skated and had a happy childhood.
Those were the days when your neighbors looked out for you and if they caught you doing something wrong, they whooped you and then the word would get home where you would get another whooping. True Neighborhood watch.
In the summers Mother Ruth would pack up everything in the car and take the family to Cabrilla beach. It was a family favorite place. She would cook breakfast and lunch on the beach. They would get home after their very long day and shower and go to bed. Those were wonderful family days.
On some weekends they had big family dinners including uncles, aunts, cousins. All enjoyed Ruth's cooking.
Betty was given a 16th Birthday party and it was a huge party, Jean said it was probably the happiest day of her life.
Reggie remembers Betty's boyfriend, Streeter. She and Streeter would be outside the house... puppy love, kissing and the kids would all come out to watch. Betty did not like this and would send them all into the house. The younger kids were annoying to her. Reginold said he knew even though she would get mad, he knew she loved them.
In her 20's she married Nathan Hall, the father of her boys, Demetrius, Patrick and Artist but the marriage didn't work out, she went on with her life. She later met a man in the service, the Navy. Milton Rich. He was from Omaha and had Betty visit Omaha from LA. She visited, liked it and moved to follow him. They had Tamara. That didn't work out but she decided to stay in Omaha. The family tried to get her to move back to LA but she liked Omaha. She tried to get her family to visit but when she mentioned that she found snakes in her yard, no one wanted to come.
Reggie, her brother had a special bond with Betty. Reggie was drafted into the Vietnam war and volunteered. She would write him 1 or 2x a week... for 2 years. He didn't write back near as often, he was only 18 but he sure appreciated her letters. Since his service she always calls him on Veterans day to thank him for his service. She has not missed a year. Sometimes he would sit by the phone and wait for that call and sure enough, she would call. She never disappointed him.
In Omaha Betty met Donald Patrick Hall and they were married Feb 14, 1989 in the New Light Baptist Church. Donald was a native of Omaha He was a wonderful step father to her children and a good man for Betty. He was a professional chef so Betty didn't really have to cook. Donald did it. He passed away in January 1996 after a bout with cancer. Betty lovingly took care of him.
Betty liked going home, to LA and seemed to make it out about once a year for family reunions or funerals. Betty recently went home for Regina and Reginald's birthday. Jean tried to get her to wait to come out for the family reunion in August but Betty was insistent in coming out and what a tender mercy she was able to see her family just a few short months ago.
Betty was well liked and touched everyone's hearts. She got her CNA in 1989
Betty took after her mother and loved family gatherings. She loved to have family gatherings and socialize.
Betty loved Holidays. Her daughter Tamara said her decorations were ridiculous. The louder and noisier the better. Sometimes several would be making noises at the same time. Puppet bodies, motion detector decorations. She liked wearing festive clothing to go with the holidays. Easter was the only quiet tasteful holiday Betty observed.
Betty believed in discipline and respect your elders. She would often complain about the younger generation and their general lack of discipline and respect.
When Betty got into something... watch out! She loved Nebraska football and basketball. After she joined the church she got into BYU Football and basketball games. I went to Utah and she asked for a BYU sweatshirt. She and my husband would have conversations on the way to church about games she watched.
I met Betty 2 years ago when she was meeting with the missionaries. The missionaries asked me to sit in on her lessons. I was very impressed at the study Betty did between meetings, she wanted to understand everything about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and fully embraced her new Faith and was fully loved in the church. Truth sunk deep into her heart and she felt the spirit testify to her of the truth. She would talk about it and wasn't afraid to share her beliefs.
Betty was my dear friend. We were visiting teaching partners. We were assigned to watch and visit several women in the church and Betty faithfully went with me monthly. She dearly loved her visiting teachers, Aretta Johnson and Monica Cameron. Monica moved recently and wrote this:
When I think of sweet Betty Hall, I can't help but smile. There was a lot of fire, devotion, and enthusiasm packed into that little lady. She had a deep love of the Lord that she wasn't afraid to share with all those around her. I had the privilege of being her visiting teacher. I always enjoyed the time we were able to spend visiting with Betty. I learned so much from her. She had an attitude of gratitude that was contagious! She would always say that she was grateful that God let her wake up that day. She was thankful for the simple things in life, and she recognized the hand of the Lord in all things. I always left her home with a more positive outlook on life after our visits because of the spirit of thanksgiving that radiated from her. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to know Betty Hall, and I am grateful for the impact she had on my life!
Monica Cameron
Joshua Chandler: Missionary who taught Betty and spoke at her baptism and funeral:
Betty found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through Elder Colledge’s pass-along card bravery. Not all missionaries would have extended a hand and card to a man walking a giant, vicious looking dog. But he did, and that card for a free Christian DVD made its way to Betty Joyce Hall, which is how this blessed woman came into my life.
Each visit to Betty’s senior living center started the same. We buzzed her apartment, “yes?” “It’s the missionaries.” Her voice came over the intercom a second time like she was greeting her grandkids. “Come on,” and the door unlocked with a pop.
Teaching Betty was a dream. She kept her commitments. She participated in discussions. Not only did she come to church, she made herself part of the branch family. She spoke up in Sunday school and always had a kind word to say to her new-found friends. Best of all, she was excited about the gospel. I’ve never met someone so enthusiastic about church. I’m sure we can thank her good Baptist upbringing for much of her attitude, but her genuine desire to grow closer to her savior was unprecedented. It was that enthusiasm that kept her strong when adversarial winds blew. She knew what she knew, and she was in a search for more.
Once, Betty was confronted about her investigation of the church. “You know,” said someone, “those Mormons don’t believe in Santa Clause. They don’t even celebrate Christmas because they don’t believe in Jesus.” Betty knew better and was quick to correct, “I went to their Christmas party and guess who was there. Santa Clause. That’s who. And they do believe in Jesus. It’s in their name. That’s what those boys come here to talk to me about.”
Betty had shake-less faith. Nothing could make her doubt her Lord. This is how she explained suffering: “The devil came over today, tried to knock me down, but I wouldn’t let him. I said oh no, devil, not today!” Not today. Not ever. One Sunday she came into Sunday school and sat right down on a broken chair. How it got set up in that class room, I’ll never know, but in a second, she was on the floor. But Betty wasn’t floored. She was helped up, laughed it off, and participated in class.
I saw Betty’s faith first hand as she fought to quit smoking. She kicked the cigarettes with the use of an e-cigarette but struggled taking her independence completely from nicotine. In the final weeks before her baptism, she asked for a priesthood blessing. I remember laying my hands on her head and feeling the overwhelming love her Father in Heaven has for her. She was promised that day that if she studied her scriptures daily and asked the Lord for help, she would be able to end her smoking habit. At the end of the blessing I felt prompted to quote from the 23rd psalm, she quoted along as I spoke those words to her, “Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil.” Though she walked through temptation, through pain, through loss, she never feared evil, for God was with her.
If anyone ever wanted to know the most important thing about Betty Hall, all they’d have had to do was ask her how she was doing. The answer was always the same. Betty Joyce Hall was “blessed. and highly favored.” It doesn’t matter what anyone else thought of her. God knows and loves Betty. He knows and loves me. I’ll be forever blessed because of her example, and the small way in which our lives were interwoven.
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We received a call at 9:30PM on Sunday Aug 31 from a desperate mother. Her son was a returned missionary (SL South mission) driving from Columbia Tennessee to SLC to go to LDS Business College and his car broke down near Council Bluffs and could Bishop Anderson help? Sure. This was the right bishop to call. We got in the truck and got the tow rope and a few tools and set out. Near Council Bluffs was really Nebraska City... an hour south. When you are traveling 20 hours.... 1 hour is close right? Kay looked the situation over and we towed the car to our house arriving home at midnight and didn't look at it till Monday.
