Born on the family farm in Clayton, N. Carolina on November 20, 1926 to Willis Ray Sr. and Agnes Johnson, she was raised with her sister and four brothers in Jacksonville, NC. near Camp Lejeune.
After high school, Betty played the piano for services at the local Baptist Church. In a God appointment, Navy Chaplain David C. Newquist (Bud) from the Camp, a Swede, preached one Sunday at the church. Magnetically they fell in love and were married in L.A. on Sept. 4, 1945. After ten days, Bud was deployed with the occupation forces to Japan for ten months. On his return the couple lived, served churches or studied, and birthed children in Glendale and Coalinga, CA, Edinburgh, Scotland, Shawnee and Johnstown, PA, Seattle and Yakima, WA, and Bakersfield, CA.
Betty was “practically perfect in every way,” a five star wife & Mom, and always beautiful inside and out, a “mossy rock” – stable and strong but soft and comforting. As an ambassador for Christ, she was a selfless, giving servant who practiced her ministry behind the scenes by example always loving and kind.
She was adaptable, fun-loving, and dedicated to her family exemplifying her motto: “Accentuate the positive, minimize the negative.” She was the Chaplain to the Chaplain and loved Bud with all her heart. They celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Surviving are her six children: Carolyn Hardebeck, Sharon Soames (Steve), John David Newquist (Tricia), Patti Sue Anderson (Craig), Mary Ababneh, and Beverly Loughnane (Greg), 11 grandchildren, and 10 greatgrandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sept. 29th at 10am at Hillcrest Memorial Park
9101 Kern Canyon Rd, Bakersfield, CA.93306
In honor of Betty, please support Word for Word Ministries, the Bible to music for memory by son John David Newquist. Donations can be made at: P.O. Box 20941, Bakersfield, CA, 93390
Remembrances can be mailed to Sharon Soames, 10359 NE. Seaborn Rd, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 or left on the website: www.hillcrestmemorial.com
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