Betty Yoko Shimozono (nee Fukuda) stepped into Heaven October 28 during breakfast at home with her daughter Michele. She was 87. She will be remembered forever as a prayer warrior and intercessor, daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother and friend who exemplified Christ’s love. Betty demonstrated resolve and inner strength and finished well. “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matt. 25:23.
Betty was born in El Centro, California to Frank and Toshiko (Kajitsuka) Fukuda. Betty was preceded in death my her older sister, Yukiko, who died at age six, and by her mother, Toshiko, who passed away in 1937.
As a dying wish, Toshiko Fukuda asked her husband to bring their daughter Betty to Sunday school. Though a Buddhist himself, Frank honored his late wife’s request. Betty was especially influenced by her beloved Sunday School teacher Mrs. Clark. During her high school, Betty became a Christian. She relied on her life verse: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Frank remarried to Fumiko Sata Hamai, who brought her son Jim to the family. During World War II, the Fukudas, along with all other Japanese- Americans on the west coast, were forced by the US government to abandon their home and live in an internment camp in Poston, Arizona. They lived in a tar paper shack in the desert heat for over three years. While in Poston, twin brothers Kei and Kyoshi were born. The internment camp was closed on Nov. 30, 1945.
Frank and Fumiko divorced; Jim, Kei and Kyoshi stayed with their mother. Frank and young Betty moved to Ohio and lived with relatives before returning to Delano, CA to rebuild their life. Frank suffered several strokes and Betty became caregiver to Frank for several years. Betty worked in the vineyards picking grapes. She learned to drive a tractor!
Frank Fukuda eventually remarried to Hiroko (Takatsuka) Fukuda, who immigrated from Japan and agreed to be wife and mother. This allowed Betty the opportunity to attend Delano High school. She studied hard, graduating as valedictorian, then earning acceptance and a scholarship to attend the University of California, Los Angeles. She lived with a family and helped care for the children and home in exchange for room and board. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in medical technology, with a concentration in bacteriology.
At UCLA Betty met Henry Shimozono. The two were married in 1958. After graduation Betty worked and supported her husband as he earned a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as a minister in El Estero Presbyterian Church, Monterey, CA for several years and then joined the US Navy as a chaplain. Meanwhile the couple had two children, Michele and Mark. Betty and Henry raised Michele and Mark to love the Lord and to appreciate education. When the kids reached their early teens, Betty resumed her career as a medical lab technologist. She retired from the Naval Research Medical Center, where she was valued for her attention to detail, necessary for her work supporting experimental cancer research. After twenty years, Henry retired from the Navy and began working as a chaplain for the Veterans’ Administration in San Diego.
After retirement, Betty and Henry moved to Mt. Miguel Covenant Village. Henry passed away in 2003. Betty spent the next 19 years living alternately at Mt Miguel and with daughter Michele in Mira Mesa. Betty spent those years praying for church family, attending Bible study, and encouraging all friends and family to be committed in their walk with the Lord.
Betty and Henry were active members of Mt. Soledad Presbyterian Church. Betty was an active member of Faith Community Church.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Henry Sakura Shimozono, brother Jim Hamai, and her parents and step-mothers.
Betty is survived by her daughter Michele Shimozono of San Diego and son Mark and wife Tamara, both of Blacksburg, VA, grandchildren Alexander Shimozono of Pasadena, Naomi Shimozono ,Harrisonburg, VA. Tori Shimozono and Isaac Shimozono, Blacksburg, VA, half-brothers Kei and Kyoshi Fukuda. In lieu of flowers, it was Betty’s wish that honorariums and tributes go to two charities:
1. Father’s House, Ukraine http://www.o-dim.com/en.
Online giving https://tinyurl.com/y6zpzwlw, or mail a check to “Faith Community Church, “Father’s House” 2285 Murray Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
2. Nicholas and Denise Bailey, Wycliffe, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200. Include a separate note stating “Gift for Wycliffe ministry of Nicholas and Denise Bailey” or online at https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/give-to-the-ministry-of-my-wycliffe-missionary
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