Born August 17, 1930 at the beginning of the Great Depression in a farmhouse in Oklahoma, Betty Sue Foley was the 10th of 10 children, 8 of whom survived into childhood. Her mom and dad made sure that all of the children applied themselves in school and they were never kept out for seasonal farm work. Betty finished her high school years in Houston, Texas and learned to key-punch, which she recognized as early computer skills.
Betty married Bill Barnes in 1950 and they raised their family of 4 children in Colorado Springs, Colorado and San Ramon, California. Her primary job was housewife and mother. However, in addition to raising her family, she also worked for the school district in the kitchen, ran a Campfire Girls’ summer camp, and used her skills as an excellent seamstress to add to the household income. She & Bill were in a bowling league and she sang and competed in a Sweet Adeline’s barbershop quartet. She taught her children to love God, to value reading, to enjoy singing and to share their cooking, among other things.
After the children were grown and out of the house, she and Bill held various jobs in Colorado, Wyoming, and finally in Oklahoma City where they retired. Some of those jobs included: partnering with their son to start-up and manage an appliance business, train and become motel and apartment managers, and serve as baggage security for the Oklahoma City airport. They were also employed opening tax envelopes for the state of Oklahoma the same year the federal building there was bombed.
Betty lived the last 6 years of her life in Corvallis, Oregon largely at The Lodge at Stoneybrook. There she made many friends. She enjoyed going on various outings, singing at Thursday socials, and above all else playing and cheering on her teammates in a good game of beanbag baseball. She helped her eldest daughter with many projects including sewing, picking figs, pitting cherries and slicing peaches.
Betty was preceded in death by Bill, her husband of over 60 years, her youngest son, Todd, and all of her siblings but one, Faye Mooney. She leaves behind her 3 children and their spouses, 3 grandchildren, 2 great grandsons, and a great-great grandchild. She will be missed by all.
Betty will be interred in a private ceremony at a later date.
A very special thanks to Aura and her staff at Loving Our Seniors. Mother was so happy and grateful to be in their care, and we can’t thank them enough for their loving kindness.
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