Bettie was born in Venita, Oklahoma and raised in Loveland, Colorado, the youngest of 7 children of William and Addie Jackson. She grew up in a two bedroom home and was the only one in her family that attended college, developing a lifelong appreciation for education. At the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, she met her husband of 63 years, Edward, who had landed in Greeley after a circuitous route from Chicago, Illinois. After graduation, they married and headed to California for a two year post graduate program at Stanford University, intending on returning to the Midwest, but never did.
Ed was a teacher/coach at San Mateo High School for a few years before they moved to the Santa Cruz area so he could take an assignment at Cabrillo College and Bettie began her elementary school teaching career after their three children became school age. Bettie was so devoted to her students and the teaching profession, spending many late nights and weekends grading papers and working on lesson plans. She especially enjoyed family activities, visits with her many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews from Loveland, summer vacations at Pinecrest Lake and ski trips to Lake Tahoe. Bettie had a beautiful voice and sang in the church choir as often as she could. She joined the Catholic Church and became a woman of strong faith. Ed and Bettie were very active in every parish where the lived. She took up golf later in life and became quite a good player. After retiring from teaching Bettie enjoyed working at the Cabrillo College Foundation.
Ed and Bettie moved to Lake Wildwood in the Sierra foothills then on to Sonora, California before their final home together at O’Conner Woods in Stockton, California. There they enjoyed the many new friends they made, day trips to the theater and especially organizing the Saturday morning putting contest. Ed passed away in 2013 and Bettie moved to Casa de Modesto in Modesto, California.
In addition to Ed, she was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by children Jeff (Cindy), Bruce (Stacy), Linda, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Bettie was one of the kindest, sweetest and positive people ever. Her smile and laugh were so infectious. She was a wonderful mother and we shall miss her deeply.
An urn placement will be held privately at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery in Stockton, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cabrillo College Foundation, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, California 95003.
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