July 7, 1917 – Nov. 25, 2011
Bettylou George of Merced passed away peacefully on Friday, November 23, 2011, at the age of 94. Born July 7, 1917 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Walter and Bessie Knapp, Bettylou moved with her family to Delhi, CA in 1926 and graduated from Livingston High School in 1934. That same year she was accepted into Fresno State College where she was the head Drum Majorette for the Fresno State Band and traveled throughout the state in competitions. In 1939, she graduated from Fresno State College with a BS degree in education and became an elementary school teacher. Shortly after completing college and starting her career as a teacher, she met and married a local Merced man, Howard George. She then quit teaching to start a family and began her career as a public servant to education. One of her most prized achievements was her contribution to bringing the University of California’s 10th campus to Merced. In 1997, while on the Merced County School Board and as trustee for the Virginia Smith Trust, she acquired information that the University of California was in the early planning stages of a 10th campus projected to be in the Central Valley. She, along with other key board members, developed a plan to attract the Regents and the University to Merced. A few of her other contributions to education include: founder and second president of the Merced Parent Nursery School; Merced County School Board member for 40 years (re-elected for 10 consecutive terms); member of the California State Board of Education; past president of the California State University Stanislaus Advisory Board; member of the Merced College Foundation Board; member of the California State University Fresno “Tokalon” Alumnae Association Scholarship Program; member of the UC Merced Committee and honorary life member of the Merced Parent Teacher Association and Parent Teacher Student Association. She was also active in the Girl Scouts of America, Merced Chamber of Commerce, American Association of University Women, Soroptomist, Merced County Regional Arts Council, Base Community Council Castle Air Force Base, Merced Symphony League, Merced County Historical Society, and many other organizations. She enjoyed a wonderful and full lifetime of service to education and the community, which spanned over 70 years. Of her many achievements and awards, there were four which were very dear to her: the Merced Chamber of Commerce “Women of the Year” Award, 1974; The California State Legislature “Women of the Year” Award, 1990; The Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce “Athena Award”, 1997 and the UC Merced “Chancellors Award”, 2005. Despite all her hard work for the surrounding community, she also managed to be a devoted wife and loving mother to three children. She leaves behind her children Lyn George and Skip George (Michelle), grandchildren Megan George, Scott Krum (Valerie), Cindy Brees (Joey), Whitney Cornish and Bill Cornish and four great grand children. She was preceded in death by her husband Judge Howard George, daughter and son-in-law Margee and Steve Krum and grandson Rick George.
The family of Bettylou George would like to thank Mission Gardens staff and caregivers for the constant comforting, professional, loving care provided over the last few years of Bettylou’s life.
Memorial Services will be held Fri. Dec 9, 2011 1:00 PM at the United Methodist Church, 899 Yosemite Parkway, Merced, CA. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Merced Historical Society, 21st and N St., Merced, CA 95340; Merced Theater Foundation, PO Box 716, Merced, CA 95341; Merced Arts Council, 645 W. Main St., Merced, CA 95340; or any other charitable contribution of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.
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