Betty Miyoko Putnam

Funeral Services celebrating her life and faith will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home in Abilene with her Pastor, Blake White officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow services in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. Services of comfort have been entrusted to Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home.

Betty was born on October 7, 1925, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to the late Jirohei and Taki (Nishimura) Otsuka. She attended school in Vancouver, B.C., graduating from Sandon High School in Sandon, British Columbia. During the war, her family lost everything and was placed in an internment camp by the Canadian government. After WWII, she moved back to Japan with her family where she worked for the United States Occupation Force. It was there she met R.W. “Bob” Putnam whom she married on February 6, 1952 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She settled in Abilene in June 1968 after Bob retired from the U.S. Army.

She was a devoted and meticulous homemaker when her sons were younger. She went on to become a secretary for the Abilene State School in Staff Development and Training in 1969. She retired from the State School in December of 1990.

Betty was a devoted Christian and member of Southside Baptist Church. She loved her church and shared a special fellowship with her Sunday school class. They walked through many seasons of life together. Betty always kept busy. She quilted, was active at Rose Park with many activities such as line dancing. She also enjoyed her volunteer work with Humana. She will be remembered for her tenacity. She was firm in her personal convictions. She enjoyed life and took advantage of opportunities for adventure and travel. She was an avid Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys fan. She loved spending time with her family; her grandchildren brought her much joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband Bob Putnam; brothers Aki, Hiroshi and Michael Otsuka; and her sister Toshiko Usami.

She is survived by her sons Robert Wayne Putnam and his wife Carolyn of Merkel, Kenneth K. Putnam and his wife Marnie of Midland; her brothers Yoshi and Katsu Otsuka of Japan; sister Keiko Nishimura of Canada; her grandchildren Jason, Chad, Chris, Monty, and Ethan; 15 great-grandchildren Jacob, Jordan, Justin, Timmy, Ephram, Grace, Jackson, Leighton, Paige, Allison, Cassidy, Elianah, Roman, Hiroshi, and Ares; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and special friends.

The family would like to thank Kinder Hearts Hospice and Merkel Nursing Center for their kindness and loving care. Special thanks to her caregivers Brenda, Donna, Judy, Rowena, Joey, and Harold.

Memorial contributions in her name can be made to Southside Baptist Church in Abilene or to a charity of your choice.