Bettie Lou Townley

Bettie Lou (Shaver) Townley passed away Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at the Medalion Care Center. Bettie had been a resident at the facility since December of 2010. She was 94 years old.

Bettie was born November 20, 1919. She was the youngest of four children born to Ross and Rebe Shaver. The family lived about ten miles north of Calhan, CO. Bettie attended a one-room country school called Sentinel Ridge through 8th Grade. She graduated from Calhan High School in 1937.

Bettie completed two years of college courses at Colorado State College in Greeley, CO to teach in rural schools. She taught at Ramah School until meeting and marrying William (Bill) Henry Townley, Jr. They had four children, Boyd, born in 1942, Rose, born in 1943, Cora, born in 1947, and Vicki, born in 1950. The family lived in Calhan, CO. Bill owned and operated Townley Drilling Company. Bettie worked as a homemaker. Bill passed away in 1970.

Bettie went to work for Shepherd’s Citations in Colorado Springs. She worked at this job for twelve years retiring in 1983. She continued living in Calhan for four years. Bettie spent this time enjoying her favorite pastime of oil painting. She decided to move to Canon City, CO to help a dear friend. She decided to stay and resided at the Royal Gorge Manor until she could no longer live alone. Bettie moved to Ellicott to live with her daughter Cora until moving to the Medalion Care Center.

Bettie is survived by two of her daughters: Vicki Starr and her husband, Bob of Dallas, NC and Cora Corn and her husband, Edward of Ellicott. Her son Boyd and her daughter Rose preceded her in death.

Bettie leaves behind ten grandchildren: Kammi (McQueen) Halcomb of Arvada, CO, Keith McQueen of Arvada, CO, Mike McQueen of Denver, CO, Carla (Corn) Sedillo of Albuquerque, NM, Lee Corn of Rush, CO, Bill Townley of Calhan, CO, Lana (Townley) Zimmerman of Peyton, CO, John Starr of Charlotte, NC, Aaron Starr of Charlotte, NC, and Becky Starr of Dallas, NC. Bettie leaves nine great-grandchildren plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Service is scheduled at the Ellicott Open Door Church on Saturday, December 7 at 11:00 a.m. The Church is located 1 ½ miles north of Hwy. 94 on Log Rd.