Betty Lou Francis

1919 - 2013

Betty Lou Francis
Oct. 18, 1919 - Dec. 29, 2013
Resident of Berkeley
Betty passed away quietly in her sleep on Sunday afternoon, December 29, 2013, at the age of 94. She was born Elizabeth Louise Smith, on October 18, 1919, in Phoenix Arizona, the fifth child of Charles and Mary Smith. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree and teaching credential from Arizona State Teachers College at Tempe (now ASU) in 1941. After teaching for several years in Arizona, she moved to Berkeley in 1950 to take a teaching position, and taught in the Berkeley school system for another 33 years, first at Cragmont elementary and then at Columbus school. She touched and enriched the lives of hundreds of students, focusing especially on those who needed extra help. She was named teacher of the year, and while at Cragmont, was awarded a lifetime membership pin by the PTA for her "outstanding service to her students and the school". During her busy career as a teacher she also became a real estate agent and built a small empire of apartment buildings with her husband Don, enabling them to fulfill lots of travel dreams and to help their children and grandchildren with their dreams. After her retirement she was still active in the community. She volunteered at the First Congregational Church, taking flowers to the infirm, and served as a Lifeline installer so that those who needed it could get immediate emergency help. She was a career-long member of the teachers sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, the California Teachers Association and later, the Retired Teachers Association, as well as the Apartment Owners Association and the Golden Gate American Flyers train club. She was beloved by all for her to graciousness and generosity. She was the widow of Donald J. Francis, and is survived by two daughters, Carol Edlinger and Donna Isler, and two stepchildren, Nancy Courtney and Stephen Francis, 12 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by her sister Ruth (age 96) and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the many caregivers who made it possible for Betty to have her wish to have loving care in her own home.
Interment will be on Friday, January 10, at 12:30 at Sunset View Cemetery, 101 Colusa Ave. in El Cerrito, followed by a memorial service at 2 o'clock at the First Congregational Church 2345 Channing Way in Berkeley. There will be a reception following the memorial service. The family would encourage those who wish, to make a donation in Betty's name to the charity of their choice.