Elizabeth Lois Kramer Crumley

Betty was born in 1918 in Savannah, Georgia, daughter of F. Chris Kramer, a tough businessman maintaining the horse-drawn carriages and milk wagons of that era. Her father moved early into first-generation automobiles, invented one of the first wreckers and this gave Betty early access to gas-powered transportation.

In the 1930s she was discovered on the Tybee Island beaches with friends and was crowned Miss Tybee Island in 1938. Photos of her with the winner's sash provided good humor to her friends and family for her entire life.

Her first child was born in Savannah in 1940, Chris, an IT entrepreneur-turned-photographer who resides in Virginia Beach, VA. Her second son, Wendell, who resides in Lansing, was born in 1943 and, like his grandfather Kramer, has had a life-long attraction to automobiles and their workings.

Betty's first marriage ended in 1944 and she then met the true love of her life, Clarence C. (Joe) Crumley, a US Navy Captain of a WWII minesweeper. Joe adopted Chris and Wendell and was Betty's rock until his passing in Lansing, Michigan in 2000.

Joe moved Betty from Savannah first to Iowa City, IA where he would earn is master's degree in civil engineering. The family then moved to Pierre, SD, where he worked for the state health department. Betty's third son, Tom was born in Pierre in 1951. Tom lives in Lansing with his wife Nancy and a cadre of children and grandchildren.

Betty and Joe moved to Lansing in 1953, Joe working for the Michigan Department of Public Health until he retired. Her first daughter, Elissa Stacy Crumley was born in Lansing in 1958 and is currently a principal at Lansing's Güd Marketing. When not working, Lisa's attention is spent training with her Beagle in canine nosework.

Betty was a stay-at-home mother, spouse, homemaker and Joe's bridge partner for her entire life. She was an avid reader and enjoyed many different hobbies, including art, photography, contract bridge and fashion, until her age and loss of her eyesight dictated her move to the Rosewood Assisted Living Home in DeWitt, Michigan in 2009. The home's staff gave her loving care, safety and comfort as Betty advanced in years and to the day of her passing.

Betty loved her husband and family and treasured lifelong friendships with her close women friends. She will be missed by all who were close to her.

If someone wishes to remember Betty with a donation, the family suggests the Rosewood AFC Foundation or any arts organization. The family will not hold formal services, but will privately spread her ashes in places that would make her continue the gentle smiles and laughs as she lived.