Betty Lee

Elizabeth Lee (Francis) Elliott reached the remarkable and precious age of 97. She passed away peacefully, with her daughters by her side, on July 19, 2024, in Monongah, WV. Born June 13, 1927, in Mannington, WV, to Lebanese immigrant parents Joseph and Labibe Francis, her heart was forever tied to her Mannington and Lebanese roots.
Known as Betty Lee, she was a stand-out among her 5 siblings as the child her mother couldn't manage so, at a very young age she began accompanying her father to work in the family's dry goods and confectionary businesses. She never shied away from anyone she met and loved making a new friend so, working with the public was a natural fit. She continued to work in the businesses and keep the books from her early teenage years until the businesses closed in 1957. Betty Lee graduated 1st in her class from Mannington High School in 1944, at the age of 16.
During her formative years she attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church where she received her religious education and proudly began singing in the church choir at age 10. Her strong faith served as the foundation of her character and singing remained an important thread throughout her life.
Betty Lee married Nelson (Sam) Elliott, the love of her life, in 1953 and was married 54 years until his death in 2007. Together they raised three children, Nelson, Regina, and Melissa. In 1964, Betty Lee and Nelson moved their family to Riverside, CA where she remained for 55 years before moving back to Mannington in 2019. She was passionate about her Lebanese heritage and proudly traveled to Lebanon, in 1998, to meet her many relatives.
Betty Lee enjoyed a professional career in banking, beginning at First Exchange Bank, Mannington, WV, where she worked 15 years, and then at Bank of America, Riverside, CA, where she worked 25 years, retiring as a divisional Assistant Controller in 1990.
Throughout her life, Betty Lee attended church and sang. She never attended a church service where she wasn't singing with the choir. While living in Riverside, she sang at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. In her later years, after returning to Mannington, and even with failing eyesight, she once again climbed the choir loft stairs of St. Patrick's to sing familiar hymns with the choir.
Betty Lee is survived by her: daughters Regina M. Elliott (John Conway) of Stamford, CT; Melissa Lewandowski (Norbert) of Riverside, CA; daughter-in-law, Leisha Elliott of Mannington, WV; grandchildren, Danica (Stuart), Andrew, Ryan, Samuel, IV, Grant, Mary Elizabeth and Adam; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Clara Elizabeth, Elliott and Everett; brother Dr. William J. Francis (Arlene) of Leesburg, FL; cousin, Mary Ann Poshadel of Tampa, Fl; sisters-in-law, Phoebia Dickinson and Janice Elliott; and many nieces, nephews and countless friends.
Betty Lee is predeceased by her beloved husband Samuel Nelson Elliott, Jr.; beloved son Samuel Nelson Elliott III; sisters Marie (Edward) Cahill, Pauline (Pete) Schloss, Joan (James) Rich; brother Philip (Joanne) Francis; sister-in-law, Mae Beth (Hoover) Francis; and numerous Elliott brothers and sisters-in-law.
Visitation will be at Hutson Funeral Home, 500 E Main St., Mannington, on Friday, July 26, from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 7pm, Friday in the funeral home chapel. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, July 27 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Mannington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honor to St. Patrick Catholic Church, 204 Furbee Ave, Mannington, WV 26582 or to Samuel Nelson Elliott Foundation, c/o Stephanie Tomana, PO Box 56, Idamay, WV 26576.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Fazio's Elder Care, Monongah, WV, who provided kind and loving care to Betty Lee.
Condolences may be extended to the family at www.hutsonfuneralhomes.com. The Hutson Funeral Home is honored to serve the Elliott family.