Betty Anne Fox

Betty was born July 2, 1927, the daughter of Ellen Patterson Gideon, on the family farm in Cumberland Township, PA. She was raised by her mother and her grandfather and grandmother, John L. and Alice M. Patterson. Betty was the youngest of six children: John Herman Gideon, Ruth Jean Crain, William J. Gideon, G. Robert Gideon and Albert Newton Gideon. All five of these siblings served their country in active combat overseas in World War II. All five returned home. During wartime, Betty attended school and maintained the family farm with her grandparents. She graduated from Cumberland Township High School in 1945.

After high school graduation, Betty received a business degree from Penn Commercial and began working at First National Bank of Carmichaels for Richard L. Baily. One Saturday, while on a drive to Waynesburg in the family Model A Ford, the car overheated and she was forced to stop at the local Ford garage. It was there she first met her eternal love, Robert W. Fox. Bob fixed her car and had his first date with Betty the following evening. They were married August 22, 1948. Bob and Betty enjoyed 63 years of exemplary marriage, modeling true love, devotion, hard work and selflessness for their family and all whom they knew. Bob passed away on May 15, 2012, leaving a void in Betty’s heart that never healed.

Betty raised four sons, Ronald, David, Mark and Tim. A tireless provider for her boys, she helped instill the qualities of faith, work ethic, love of family and the importance of education.

As a youth, Betty attended the Carmichaels Presbyterian Church and then filled many roles at the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg after marriage. She was a Sunday school teacher and served on numerous committees, but was best known for her ability to organize, prepare and serve large banquets, allowing her Sunday school class to support local missions and charities. Often times, her class would be serving hundreds of people in the church social room.

In the community, Betty was one of the first volunteers to deliver Meals-on-Wheels. She did this every Wednesday morning for 37 years. When needed, her grandchildren would accompany her. She was also a member of the Waynesburg Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary and Martha V. Paul Chapter #404, Order of the Eastern Star.

Her ability to do all things well is notable. She was an excellent seamstress and dabbled in oil painting for a while. While maintaining her home, she gardened, painted, wallpapered, quilted, refinished furniture and canned garden-raised food for the winter months. She was an excellent pianist, with the ability to play from memory and by ear up to her time of death. Above all, Betty was known for her cooking and baking. She compiled and edited the Fox Family Cookbook, which is treasured by all family members today.

In later years, Bob and Betty’s devotion turned to their twelve grandchildren, and both had the ability to treat each one specially. They enjoyed semi-retirement in Jupiter, Florida, during the winter months.

Surviving are Betty’s four sons: Ronald (Rachel), David (Nancy), Mark (Shari) and Tim (Mary), all of Waynesburg. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren: Laura, Bobby, Danny, Alissa, Jeff, Katie, Mindy, Missy, Michelle, Matt, Lauren and Nick. There are twenty-eight great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Robert W. Fox, her mother and all of her siblings.

Friends will be received Friday, December 17th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, 303 West High Street, Waynesburg, PA. The Waynesburg Volunteer Fire Company will hold visitation at 6:00 PM Friday evening. The funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg on Saturday, December 18th, at 11:00 a.m., with additional visitation being held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Edward Peirce will be officiating, with interment following immediately at Greene County Memorial Park.

The family would like to publicly thank Connie, Georgia, Roberta, Hester and Sherrie for the care and love they gave to our mom and grandmother these past nine years. Also, thank you to the staff at ViaQuest for providing such loving hospice care. Milliken and Throckmorton FH, Inc. Daryl L. Throckmorton Owner/Director are in charge of her arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg. Additional information can be found at www.milliken-throckmortonfh.com