Betty Preble

Betty was born in Tampa on 9-29-1929 to Robert Oliver and Helen Alice (Kline) Thompson. She was proud to be a Tampa native (her family arrived here during the Spanish American war in the 1890s) and a 4th generation Floridian.

She graduated from Hillsborough High School and attended University of Tampa. She was a majorette at both schools and marched or rode floats in many Gasparilla Parades.

She met the love of her life, Myron Dale Preble, in 1936 when Myron’s family moved to Tampa from Kansas and he was placed in Betty’s 2nd-grade classroom (they were both 7 years old). They began dating in high school and married on July 11, 1951. They spent several years in Selma, AL when Myron was stationed at Craig AFB. They returned to Tampa where they raised two children, Myron Keith Preble and Karen Jean Preble. During these years, she taught 2nd grade Sunday School at Northgate Baptist Church and also led Northgate’s Vacation Bible School program for many years. After getting an AA degree from Hillsborough Community College, she went to work for Tropical Garment and had a long career there.

After Betty and Myron retired, they had the opportunity to travel throughout the US and abroad. They had many great adventures and made many friends during this time.

Betty was predeceased by Myron who passed in 2015; by her parents; sisters, Coralie Hallyburton and Janice Deschner; and daughter-in-law Patti Preble. She is survived by her son Keith (Marcia) Preble and Karen Preble; grandchildren Patrice (Charlie) Bozeman and Kimberly (Bob) Tavernier; great-grandchildren Christopher Tavernier, Nicholas Tavernier, Patricia Bozeman and Levi Bozeman; sisters-in-law Correne Holiga, June Doyle and Carmen Petit; and many other beloved family and friends.

A service will be held at Hillsboro Memorial Cemetery on Friday, January 10. Visitation will be held at 11AM and service at noon.