Betty Jean Clark Corpron

Betty J. Clark Corpron passed away at the age of 93, surrounded by her loving family. As an incredible mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and teacher, Betty touched the lives of many and leaves behind a legacy of joy, love, and learning.

Betty was born November 15, 1929, in Kirklin, Indiana, and received her BA in education from Butler University in Indianapolis. That was where she met her first husband, William (Bill) G. Clark, at a church youth group. The couple were married in Butler’s Chapel in 1952.

Betty taught in Indianapolis before coming with Bill to the Yakima Indian Christian Mission in White Swan, WA, in 1955. After returning to Indianapolis where Bill earned his master’s degree, the couple moved to the Mission on a permanent basis in 1958.

Education was always Betty’s passion, and she shaped the lives of hundreds of children in the Lower Yakima Valley. She began the first kindergarten in the area, teaching children who lived at the Mission and in the community until the local public school added kindergarten classes. She then taught 30 years for the Mount Adams School District as a first and second grade teacher.

Bill and Betty shared almost 33 years together until his death in 1984. She married Douglas O. Corpron in 2012, with whom she spent close to 9 years until his death in 2021.

Betty kept busy her entire life, working in her garden, reading, sewing, crocheting, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a deep love of travel and learning, and she explored the globe with both husbands and with her family and friends. She also continued serving the community as an active member of Englewood Christian Church, a long-time board member and volunteer at the Yakima Rotary Food Bank, and through volunteering at the Yakima Valley Museum, Yakima Interfaith Coalition emergency services, and Harrah Elementary School.

Betty was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa (an educators’ honorary association), the National Education Association, the Washington Education Association, the Mount Adams Education Association, and the Retired Public Employees’ Association.

Betty passed away on October 29th in Harrah, WA. She is survived by nine children: Debby (Dave) Doornink, Kathy (Harry) Kwak, Kevin (Rebecca) Clark, Lauri (Wesley) Clark Strait, Ken (Shannon) Corpron, Cathie (Kim) Corpron-Smith, Dan (Julie) Corpron, Karl (Jedean) Corpron, Karyn (Charley) Schimmels; 28 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her first husband, Bill, her second husband, Doug, a brother and two sisters.

If you care to make a donation in Betty’s name, please consider one of her favorite charities: the Yakima Rotary Food Bank. Betty was passionate about caring for and feeding those in need.

A Celebration of Betty's Life will be June 22, 2024 at Englewood Christian Church.