Betty Ann Mansfield

Our beloved mom, grandma, and great-grandma, Betty Ann Mansfield went to be with her Lord peacefully February 17, 2026. She leaves behind a legacy of deep love, creativity, and devotion to family.

Betty was born in St. Charles Missouri on September 21, 1935. She was an only child but her mother had seven sisters so there were plenty of cousins, some of whom she stayed connected with and were very dear to her. Her mother owned a diner, so her first job was helping out as a waitress when there were big banquets. During her senior year of high school she met Cecil Ward and fell head of heels, they had gone to school together since the 7th grade but hadn’t noticed each other, then they met at a beach party. Betty was a majorette in high school and Cecil was the captain of the Letterman’s Club. The night of graduation they were engaged and were married on January 24, 1954. Although the 12 year marriage didn’t last, her greatest joy in life was her children, Cecil Ward, Brenda Barton, and Denise Haar.

Betty met Kenneth Gene Mansfield, the love of her life and they were married February 25,1977. They knew better than to try and merge a household of teenagers so they dated for 2 years and were engaged for 5 years. Eventually Betty joined Gene, helping him in his business, City Appliance Repair. Betty set up service calls, ordering parts, sending out statements and making sure the guys were not crisscrossing across town on their calls.

The families merged and had years filled with weddings, family dinners, birthday’s, Christmas Eve’s, graduations, wedding and baby showers, anniversaries and 4th of July at Betty and Gene’s house. Betty had many blessings in her life, one was accepting Jesus Christ as her personal Savior on August 21, 1985. She was baptized at EV Free Church on January 5, 1986. One of her greatest blessings is knowing that Gene had prayed and received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. They are reunited and rejoicing in heaven. Gene may be asking her ‘what took you so long love?’

Betty was such a special and talented person who loved and enjoyed serving her family as well as her church. She participated in Study and Share for 24 years serving in many positions. She looked forward to her monthly birthday luncheons with a large group of ladies. Betty especially enjoyed hers and Gene’s fishing trips. Boy, could they catch fish!

Gene’s family held a special place in her heart. They gathered her into the family. Don and MaryLou Marshall and Ted and Pat Mansfield’s friendships were so special. Not only the California family members but also those out of state. Betty and Gene loved going to Oklahoma for family reunions which gave them the chance to travel.

As they retired, both enjoyed making crafts together. They took their wonderful projects to craft shows and they always shared beautiful hand made gifts with family members. Each family member still holds these as precious gifts.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Gene Mansfield on September 7, 2007. As Betty said often, they are forever in love and she missed him everyday. Betty and Gene had such a deep love for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their desire was to make precious memories with each one.

Betty shared special friendships after Gene passed. She was inseparable from her friend Jean Perret, meeting at church, they had much in common and kept themselves busy having fun as well as supporting one another through their grief. She was brokenhearted when Jean went to be with the Lord. Her friendship with MaryJane and Tom was so dear to her heart. They visited Betty every Friday. MaryJane was going through chemotherapy and rarely missed a visit. Losing MaryJane was heartbreaking for Betty. Her friend Tom was such a blessing as he continued to visit weekly. Betty and Tom we’re both devoted Dodgers fans faithfully cheering them on. Betty also had two friends Carolyn and Shirley who would visit her often. They would have coffee and maybe a bit of cake and visit. Betty always looked forward to their visits. There are too many loved ones to mention but know you were precious to her.

Betty was a woman of many talents and simple pleasures. She found happiness in sewing, quilting, and crafting beautiful handmade treasures that will be cherished for generations. The first thing she made sure of before moving to The Windham was having space for her sewing machine. She more recently discovered the joy of making rope bowls with Denise. She loved making and giving them as gifts, each one a reflection of her creativity. Cecil has been Betty’s rock through the years. She knew whether it was her faucet breaking or needing a new fence, he was always there ready to help his Mom. He meticulously and lovingly painted her house when she was ready to move and got her set up in her apartment. Bren and Betty enjoyed weekly visits putting together jigsaw puzzles. It was a fun time just spending time together. Denise and Betty were able to share many sewing projects in the last few years. Betty had invaluable knowledge and experience and loved working on projects together.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Cecil Ward, Brenda Barton, and Denise Haar, along with their spouses Valerie Ward and Jim Haar, step-children, Toni Pennycook and Randy Mansfield, her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will continue to carry her love and legacy forward.

A graveside service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park, located at 201 N. Teilman Avenue, Fresno, California. The service is scheduled for March 5, 2026, at 1:00 pm.