OXFORD – Betty D. Lewis died peacefully at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, two days after her 89th birthday.
She had resided at the Vets’ Home for the last four and a half years. Betty was born in Gasaway, W.Va. on Dec. 24, 1921, the daughter of Fred and Jessie Hall Dixon. She graduated from Connellsville High School in Connellsville, Pa. and attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Oh, majoring in music and voice performance. She was blessed with a beautiful voice and continued singing throughout her life.
On July 10, 1943 Betty married Willard L. Lewis, who predeceased her after fifty-five years of marriage on Aug. 5, 1998. Betty and Willard moved to New Berlin in 1949 and spent the rest of their married lives together there.
Betty is survived by her son, Willard Lewis III and his wife Mary of Forest City, N.C., and by her daughter Susan Franco and her husband John of Oxford. She is also survived by her grandsons, Andrew (Kate) Lewis, Newark Valley, Matthew Franco, San Francisco, and by her great granddaughters, Erin and Sarah Lewis. She was predeceased by her grandson, Scott Franco. Her brother Clark (Juanita) Dixon, Tulsa, Okla., her sisters Jean Mertens, Jacksonville, Fla., Anne (Phil) Gellner, Cumberland, Md. and her sister-in-law Barb (Jack) Feenick, Trinity, Fla., as well as many nieces and nephews also survive.
Betty was the ultimate homemaker and anyone would tell you that she truly believed that “cleanliness is next to Godliness.” She loved taking care of her home and family but at the age of sixty she began a new adventure working at the Emily Lawrence Dress Shop in Norwich. She enjoyed her years there immensely, making many friends and providing great service to her customers.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in New Berlin, where she was a longtime member. There will be no calling hours, but the family will meet guests at a reception to be held after the service in the church hall. If you wish, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church of New Berlin, or to a charity of your choice.
The family wishes to extend most sincere thanks to the staff of the “Spruce Neighborhood” at the NYS Veterans’ Home for the wonderful care provided her.
Arrangements are by the Dakin Funeral Home LP of New Berlin.