Betty Louise Franz

Betty Louise Franz (Greer), of Salem, Oregon, passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on September 20, 2025 at age 83. She was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her death at Salem Hospital.
Born February 19, 1942 in Bakersfield, California to Joyce and Georgia Greer, she is survived by her brothers Richard and Joe Greer. Preceding her in death were her parents and siblings; Norma Hosmun, George (Barbara) Greer, John (Sharon) Greer, Shirley Greer and daughter-in-law Gloria Franz.
Betty married the love of her life Rodney Alan Franz Sr. in 1959 at the age of 17. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and "chosen mom and grandma" to many.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Rodney Alan Franz Sr., and their children Kathy & Russ McLain, Terri & Bob Dudley, Rod & Faith Franz Jr., Janice Franz, and Kelli & Dean Ables.
She was loved deeply by her Grandchildren; Heather Chapman, Mandie McLain, David & Courtney McLain, Alix & Mike Eder, Brittany Kalkman, Sammi Walters, Melissa & Kyle Kilburn, Lindsay & Chris Guyor, Kendra & Justin Lowder, Carlin & Sam Ables, Lizzy Ables & Junior Walling, Harrison & Rose Drummond, Miriam & Paul Kirse, and many others that called her grandma.
Her Great-Grandchildren adored her and loved any time they could be with her. She loved and created memories with Natasha Wollin, Gabriella Chapman, Khrystina Chapma, Mackenzi McLain, Mathis McLain, Elana McLain, Thalia McLain, Elliott Eder, Camryn Eder, Rilynn Eder, Gracyn Eder, JoJo Kalkman, Katie Walters, Sophia Walters, Brayden Dudley, Sadeigh Kilburn, Miguel Lowder, Damian Lowder, Ezequiel Lowder, Charlotte Ables, Henry Ables, Todd Drummond, Elsie Drummond, Jesse Drummond, Freya Drummond, and Quinn Kirse.
Rod and Betty accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into their life in 1971 and everything changed. From that point on, she was about the ministry of sharing Jesus to everyone she could. Rod and Betty ministered in every church they attended with their children. These included Carpenteria Baptist Church in Carpenteria, CA, Nyleland Community Church in Oxnard, CA, Bible Baptist in Santa Monica, CA, and First Baptist Church in Salem, OR. They created life-long friendships with so many in each of these locations. In 1982, the Lord called them to full time ministries as local directors with Child Evangelism Fellowship while living in Somis, CA. In 1991 they moved to Oregon for Rod to be the State Director and eventually Betty became the local Marion County director. Together they shared the love of Jesus to children and adults through local Good News Clubs, 5-Day Clubs, Christian Youth in Action programs (CYIA), and State and local Fair Ministries.
But God had even bigger plans! Together, they helped develop and grow the CYIA ministry in Africa! This was a place she said she would never go! But God called them and they followed. There were 23 teenagers there to learn to teach the gospel to children during their first year in 1999. They taught in Kenya for the next two years and then went back to continue this ministry in Uganda (2004) and Tanzania (2007) with Martha Olongo, the Regional Director for Africa. Because of their faith, the ministry in Africa has now expanded to eight other African countries that were previously closed to missionaries. In 2024 over 700 teenagers were trained to share the gospel with children and over 180,000 children attended 5-Dday Clubs. God is amazing and used this humble woman who was "just a mom" to reach thousands of people for Him.
She lived her life with God, family, and friends that were like family, as her top priority. She leaves behind a legacy bigger than she could have ever imagined because of her faithfulness. If you knew her, you felt her joy in life, the love of Jesus, and her love for you. She inspired us all to be the best we could be with Jesus by our side.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, OR.
Buriel will be held in Auburn, Washington at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the local Salem, OR Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship.