Betty Ann Stephens

Betty was born to Ernest and Alma Tucker in Klamath, Oregon in 1938. Her family moved to Missouri when she was still young, and she would later reminisce fondly about her life on a little farm, playing with chickens and how she loved riding horses.

She met and married Melvin Hoglen in Missouri and they had 3 children. Many years later, they separated and Betty made her way to California, where her folks now lived. She worked as a waitress at Lim’s Chinese Restaurant in Redding and there she met Lewis Stephens. They soon married in Reno, NV in 1975.

In those early years, Betty and Lew enjoyed disco dancing and motorcycle riding. They later took up traveling in their motorhome and going to rallies with other ‘Bus Nuts’ and motor coach enthusiasts, making many friends along the way. They were longtime residents of Redding but for 30 years they spent their summers fishing on the coast at Crescent City, enjoying the weather, fun days spent on their boat, and the family and friends who came to spend special time with them there. Betty was also an avid and creative crafter. She tried everything from beading, knitting and making button flowers to glass plate and bowling ball yard art. She liked reading western novels (especially Louis L’Amour), watching old westerns on TV and listening to “real” country music (which usually meant Johnny Cash).

Betty’s husbands both passed before her. She is survived by her brother Jerry Tucker (wife Carol) of Oregon, her sons Howard Hoglen and Dennis Hoglen (wife Yvette), both of Missouri, and her daughter, Laura Sue Swisher of California. Betty also leaves behind her stepson Chris Stephens (wife Rachel), stepdaughter Kathy Stephens (husband Bill Porter), 5 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. A full life and she was loved.