Betty Beers
Bethalto |
Betty Charlotte (Gurley) Beers passed away on Monday, December 23rd, 2024, at the age of 95 in South Beloit, IL. She was born in Wood River, Illinois on February 4, 1929 to Charles H. and Ethel Nina (Simmons) Dempsey. She was born in their home on 6th Street. The Simmons family was part of the Trail of Tears, and Betty treasured her Cherokee family history.
On September 3, 1949 she married LaVern Gurley at the Calvary Baptist Church in Wood River. He passed away June 26, 1971. On August 4, 1974 she married Jerry Beers of Alton, Illinois.
Betty and LaVern were charter members of First Christian Church in Bethalto, Illinois. Through the years, Betty was active in the church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, working on the Kitchen Committee and helping with Vacation Bible School, Mother-Daughter banquets and wedding and baby showers. An excellent cook, she hosted many meals for revival teams who preached at the church.
Betty and Jerry were also members of the New Hope Baptist Church in Rosewood Heights, Illinois and they served in various capacities as they were able.
Before she was married, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Red Cross, and she wrote for The Echo newspaper. Betty was retired from the Wood River Township Hospital, where she worked in the X-Ray department and in the Administration Office. She also worked for Doctors Blumfield and Sanders for several years before LaVern’s illness. After her retirement, she worked with the Literacy Program through Lewis and Clark College and thoroughly enjoyed helping adults learn to read. She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter LW.
Betty was a caregiver extraordinaire to her many family members as they endured physical struggles and illnesses. Her cookie jar was always full for the neighborhood kids and grandchildren and the neighborhood doggies could always count on a treat from her dog treat jar. She loved her fur babies Tinker Bell, Joby, Tugger and Gracie. She was an avid reader, and she knitted dishcloths for a mission in Africa. She loved flowers and plants and cared for them with great enthusiasm. She enjoyed family vacations and traveling, but tent camping--not so much! She was a devoted friend to so many in her church family and neighborhood who were lucky to know her and call her their friend, sharing life, vacations and holidays together, happy times and sad times as well.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Nina, her husbands, LaVern and Jerry, her daughter Carol Gurley, her two sisters, Juanita Barkley and Agnes Kay, one brother Robert Kay, one son-in-law, Bob Lowrance and lifelong neighbor Shirley McCune.
She is survived by her daughters Lynne (David) Meding, of Rockton, Illinois, Terri (Tom) Lowrance Hughes of Holiday Shores, sons Dan (Susan) Beers of Godfrey, Russell Beers of Johnston City, IL and Scott Beers of E. Alton; grandchildren Emily Yungen, Errin Meding, Eric Schmidt, Paige (Ryan) Davis, Robby (Tracey) Lowrance, Ryan (Karissa) Lowrance, Alex Beers , Chrystal (Randy)Weigler, Heather Beers and Amy Beers-Ball. . She was blessed to be a great-grandmother to Adrieona Yungen, Brinay Little, Lyndall Schmidt, Gabriel and Norah Davis, Kyleigh, Emersyn (Eme Lou) and Blayke Lowrance, Killian and Atticus Weigler. She was also a lifelong friend to Amelia Werden.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 10 am until time of service at 11 am, on Friday, January 3rd, at First Christian Church in Bethalto, Illinois, with Pat Heston officiating. Burial will follow at Woodland Hill Cemetery in Wood River. Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto is assisting the family with arrangements. A luncheon will be served in the fellowship hall of the church.
The family would like to thank Fair Oaks Rehabilitation and Health Care Facility in South Beloit for its welcoming arms to Betty and the loving care they provided to her during the five months she made this her home. We will never forget you.
Memorials may be given to Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
