Betty Joy Nabors

Elizabeth (Betty) Joy (Hightower) Nabors of Akron Passed away peacefully Saturday morning at the age of 96 at Brookdale Montrose. She was born June 12th 1927 in Savoy Texas. She lived 35307 days and was 404 in dog years. She lived through the depression, WWII, and 17 presidents. She married Lester Nabors on Sept. 3rd 1945, after a long courtship consisting of three years of letter writing. The correspondence was so profound that they knew each other well enough to confidently be married with the ceremony being only the fourth time they had been in each others company. Her marriage lasted for 74 years and one week, until Lester’s passing in 2019. They had three children, Susan Nabors (Costonis), Phillip Nabors, and Larry Nabors. There are nine grandchildren, Susan’s: Ashley (Brad) Madden, Evan Forgue, Philip’s: Marcella (Josh) Kanfer-Rolnik, Abraham (Lyndsey) Nabors, Gabriel Nabors, Larry’s: Michael Nabors, Matthew Nabors, Joshua Nabors and Jacob Nabors. There are eight great grandchildren, from Susan, Lilly and Abby Madden, from Phillip, Meyer, Hesh, Lev, Pella, and Noa, From Larry, there is Scott. Her only remaining sibling is her beloved little sister Annette Sides in Lubbock TX. Her parents, Melvin and Zettie B Hightower, brothers, Clarence Jr. and Gary, and sisters-in-law, Betty Ruth, and Odell all preceded her in passing.

Her first job was at a soda fountain where the boss chided her for putting too much ice cream in the soldiers’ milkshakes, her generosity shown even then. She had a long career in banking, starting in Sherman TX, but mostly at First National Bank in Akron, later Huntington. She served for many years as treasurer and also worked in the nursery for the West Hill Baptist Church in Akron. For many years she and her beloved husband Lester, volunteered at Haven of Rest assisting with what needed to be done. She enjoyed traveling, and with Lester they took multiple cruises, along with other trips to Hawaii, England, Mexico, and Russia.

Her free time was taken up with reading, playing cards with friends and family, and later in life she took up golf she never excelled at it, but didn’t care. Family was very important and they watched all the grandchildren off and on so that the parents could work or sometimes travel.

The family thanks the Claire Bridge staff at Brookdale who cared for her, and especially the Gentiva Hospice care staff as they provided tender palliative care in her last days.

A visitation for Betty will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Rose Hill Funeral Home, Akron, Ohio. A visitation will occur Wednesday, February 14, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at West Hill Baptist Church, 605 North Revere Road, Akron, Ohio. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 11:30 AM at West Hill Baptist Church, 605 North Revere Road, Akron, Ohio. An entombment will occur Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at Rose Hill Burial Park, Akron, Ohio.