Betty is survived by her brother, John Wilmoth and his wife, Rita Wilmoth. Three of her 5 children, Andrew Wilkes and Patricia Shelton Wilkes, Evelyn (Wilkes) Ward and Alan Ward, and Marie Wilkes. Thirteen grandchildren, Ann (Mike) Drummond, Matt Elliott, Tom Elliott, William Wilkes, Arthur Wilkes, Jessica Ward (Joseph) Waldrop, Judson (Kolton Barnes) Ward, Mario Ottesen, Theresa Ottesen Binder, Katherine (Jeremy Nachman) Press, Abigail (Quang-Minh Hoang) Press, Emily Press, Jasper Press, and several great grandchildren. Nephew Charles Colbert (Nadine), nieces Cindy Wilmoth and Linda Wilmoth Dishroon (David), Robert Austin (Cindy) and Janice Beaumont. And a very special Cousin Charles Lowe.
Betty was born at the Deaconess Hospital, now known as Banner Good Samaritan, in 1922. The Great Depression began in 1929 when she was only 7 years old. This colored her life in many ways, not the least of which was being kind to others who were less fortunate. She knew tragedy early because her older brother died in childhood and then, just a few years later, her own mother died. Betty grew up and graduated from high school and within about a years’ time she was a war bride as well when she married Homer Downs Wilkes (1921-2001). She went on to have 5 children, Nelle, Andrew, Evelyn, Jane, and Marie. She spoke many times about the frequent moves she was subjected to as an Army wife. Finally settling back in Arizona after Homer retired from the Army in 1966, she was glad to be back, and they settled into their home in Scottsdale where they lived together until Homer passed.
Betty was always a giving person and a person of Faith. She attended church regularly and her Faith in God was her anchor in life’s storms. She loved to read and always had some paperback lying around. She was an avid seamstress when her children were young, making as many clothes as she could for them. When her children were grown, she began to quilt and tried to make each new grandchild a quilt of some type. She was mildly famous in the family for her quilted potholders and placemats, although she had to say they were for looking at, not using. Every one of us has received a potholder or three for Christmas or birthday. She was also mildly famous for her packages sent from far away Arizona to wherever her grandchildren were. One never knew what would be in those packages. Single serve Microwave popcorn, stale juicy fruit gum from the dollar store, coloring books with a page or two colored probably picked up at Goodwill, Chiclet gum, dish towels cut in half with cloth sewn on top and a button so you could hook it over a kitchen cabinet handle, a potholder, a random piece of clothing, again from Goodwill, that she thought might fit one kid or the other. The randomness of the contents was fun for the children, and it showed how much she thought about them and cared for them.
Betty spent her entire life caring for and taking care of her family in a myriad of ways. One of her favorite phrases was, "I gotta learn something new every day," up until dementia imposed itself on her. She spent the last six years of her life at Surprise Farms Assisted Living, Surprise, AZ, in the loving care of John and Dana, where humor was always a part of the daily mix.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed in memory of Betty Belle Wilmoth Wilkes to the International Missionary Board, 3806 Monument Ave., Richmond VA 23230. Their mission statement is to spread the Gospel throughout the world and right up Betty's alley!
Or you can donate to Hospice of the Valley at https://hov.org/donate/donate-now/ in memory of Betty Wilkes. Hospice of the Valley is a not-for-profit organization in Phoenix, Arizona (tax ID 86-0338886), serving families and patients with life-limiting illnesses in Central Arizona and Maricopa County since 1977. If you require assistance, contact us by calling (602) 530-6992 or use our contact form. To mail in your donation, download a printable donation forms in English or Spanish.
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