ELISABETH KARNES

Elisabeth Gilson Karnes Elisabeth (Betty) was born in E. Providence, RI on August 8, 1918 to Forrest Robinson Gilson and Nellie Marguerite Wyman Gilson and died at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, WA on December 27, 2010. Betty was the first daughter and second child of five children born to Forrest Robinson Gilson and Nellie Marguerite Wyman Gilson. The family removed to Rear 241 Highland St., Taunton, MA where Betty graduated from high school. She attended one year at the U of MA in Amherst, MA and married Arthur Wendell Washburn, Jr. the following year. One child, Margaret Louise (Stan) Washburn Karnes Cybulski was born of this marriage. Betty married a second time to Kenneth Crosby Karnes. Three children, Daniel B. Karnes of Falls Church, VA; Lois (Richard) McClatchey of Lacey, WA, and Karen Karnes of Tumwater, WA were born of this marriage. After following Ken through his military career to Washington, Texas, Japan, Virginia, Texas, Alaska and finally Ft. Lewis, WA, the family settled in DuPont where the younger three children all graduated from Laughbon High School. When mom and dad both retired from second careers, they traveled several times across country and also down into Mexico. After their last trip 'south', they resettled in Lakewood, WA. Dad predeceased mom in September 1998. Betty was a 69 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a life member of Lewis Chapter #198 O.E.S. She also was active in Mary Ball Chapter D.A.R., and the American Legion Auxillary. In addition, she had great fun with the 1918 Club. Elisabeth was predeceased by her parents and brother Colby Gilson. In addition to her four surviving children she leaves two sisters Mary (William) Gay, Aurura Co, Ruth (Robert) McIntire of Taunton MA, and brother Robert (Betty) Gilson, Bridgewater, MA, seven grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. A memorial service for Betty will be held at the DuPont Presbyterian Church, in the village (502 Barksdale) on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 1 PM.