In loving memory of our mother

Betty Elaine Richards

May 7, 1932 – October 23, 2023

Lived 91 years

Shawl Cemetary · Ottumwa, Iowa

Favorite Visit

You never take a reward for doing a good deed.

Life story

Betty was born in Ottumwa,Iowa on May 7th, 1932, the first child of Carlton and Rosa Loy Rolison. About the age of two, Betty was joined by a baby brother, Robert Duane Rolison, born just before her second birthday. The little family was living in a house built by Rosa's father,George Loy and his brother,Jess. Just after little Bobby turned one, there was a terrible house fire. Carlton grabbed Betty and a family friend grabbed Bobby and rushed them from the house,which was a total loss. It was later discovered Betty had severe burns to her legs which bothered her for the rest of her life. Tragically, no one realized Bobby had suffered smoke inhalation. He died not long after with what was at that time termed pneumonia.

Eventually, Betty was joined by sister Marilyn, brother Richard and sister Eleanor.

When Betty was about the age of 15, Rosa became friends with a woman in the PTA where her young daughter went to school with Richard. One day, the woman, Sophia Goodman, Sent her older son,Robert over to Rosa's house on an errand. Betty was just coming downstairs when he came to the door. Realizing her hair was in curlers, she dashed back up the stairs to take them out. This started a relationship that lasted the rest of their lives.

The two began dating but Carlton was very strict with his daughter. She had a curfew and, by golly, they'd better stick to it. One night they were late getting in owing to being caught behind a train. That was no excuse! You needed to plan for things like that to happen. These strict rules were enforced right up to and including the night before their wedding.

Robert and Betty were married on May 28th, 1950, in the garden of Ervil and Albert LaRue,Betty's paternal aunt and uncle. That night, friends and family enjoyed an old fashioned chivarie, banging pans and noisemakers outside the newlyweds windows. This continued until each participant was presented with a candybar.

They went on to raise a family of seven, four boys and three girls. Robert passed away a few months after their 41st wedding anniversary and Betty spent the rest of her life missing him.

Photos

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