Betty Lou Wooldridge

Betty was born in Salyersville, Magoffin County, Kentucky in 1933 to Jewel and Mitchell Barnett. Betty grew up on her family’s farms in Kentucky, and then later in Ohio after they relocated. Her father was known to call her "Beth" when she was a small child. She was the oldest of eleven children, is survived by four siblings (Tom, Max, Virginia Sue, and Sandy), and preceded in death by six siblings (Monna Jean, Joyce, Roger, Elsie, Gary, and Samuel). Living on a farm, Betty knew how to work hard and was known by her siblings and cousins as someone who liked to tease and joke. Her family was lively and dynamic.

In February 1959, at the age of 25, she married her beloved husband Lewis Wooldridge in Tonopah, Nevada. Together, they moved to southern California, where Lewis was from. Lewis worked in manufacturing and Betty worked as a homemaker and mother. Their children were all born in February: 1960, 1961, and 1962. During this time, Betty’s parents also relocated to California, moving the family closer to their eldest daughter, son-in-law, and new grandchildren.

Tragically, Lewis passed away in December of 1962. Betty was heartbroken but determined, and with the love and encouragement from her parents and siblings, she worked hard to raise her children. In the early 1970’s she took the opportunity to move from LA to the greater Seattle area. She built a life for herself in the Pacific Northwest. She lived in her home in Covington for 45 years and retired from Seattle's Ball-Incon Glass Packaging plant. She made many friends, including her close and longtime friends Lucy and Judy.

Betty valued conservation. She taught her children and grandchildren to not waste water, electricity, and other resources. With her grandchildren, she would frequently walk her community to pick up litter and aluminum cans for recycling, while promoting it as good exercise. New neighbors got to know her from these habits as she would stop to chat.

She enjoyed making a day out of family nature walks and picnics at state and national parks, often bringing her signature macaroni salad and baked beans. Summers included blackberry picking and jars of homemade jam. She hosted many holiday dinners with platters of homemade cookies to share. She frequently had her grandchildren over to spend the night. While letting grandchildren help in the kitchen, she gave spontaneous dance lessons, often favoring The Twist.

Never wanting to miss a moment, she was notorious for always having a camera in her hands. She took endless photos of her loved ones and the walls of her home were covered with images of her growing family. She is survived by one son, two daughters, and two son-in-laws (Sebrina & Guy, Victor, and Jonda & Doug), four grandchildren (Jessie, Emily, Aaron, and Kristi), and seven great-grandchildren (Alexander, Julian, Claire, Micah, Adrian, Emmett, and Evalena).and was known as "Grandma Wooly" and later as "Grandma two-two".

She will be remembered for all of these things which include her vibrant smile, independent spirit, and generosity. Plus her legendary and mind-boggling collections of owl figurines and John Wayne memorabilia. Betty has left behind a large family that misses her dearly, but has many more loved ones who are now welcoming her home with love, light, and peace.