Betty Lou Byington died the evening of Tuesday, March18, 2014 after a long illness. She was born, Betty Lou Brockway, near Owosso, Michigan on April 9, 1929, the youngest of 6 children. Raised in the Owosso, area, she met her high school sweetheart, Rex Byington, in 1945, and they married in 1947. Their marriage of more than 66 years ended with Betty’s death on Tuesday.
She is survived by her husband, Rex Byington, of Lakeland, Florida, one sister, Beulah Case of Owosso, sister-in-law Ann Morse, two children, Dorothy Boone of Eaton Rapids, Michigan and Robert Byington of Hastings, Michigan, and their spouses of many years, Ernie Boone and Martha Byington. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Ernie II (Brandi), Omari (Stephanie), Chad (Nikki) and Adia Boone, Sarah (Stu) Konynenbelt and Eric Byington and 12 great grandchildren along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Betty enjoyed a more than 50-year successful career as a legal secretary, inspiring her son and three of her grandchildren to pursue careers as attorneys. She was an avid reader, especially of legal mysteries and who-dun-its, frequently knowing the answer long before the end of the book. After Betty retired, she and Rex relocated to the Lakeland area and made that their home.
Betty became an accomplished artist, and the walls of their dwellings are adorned with her paintings. Her home was always a place of welcome to family, neighbors, friends, and soon to be friends. Whether at Crystal, Michigan or Lakeland, her home was the site of many jolly “Friday night dinners,” enjoyed by family, friends and passers-by alike.
The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Rex and Betty’s “Florida family,” which has shown them loving support and friendship, especially during Betty’s illness. Rex and Betty have been faithful attendees of several churches over many years, including St. John’s United Church of Christ in Owosso, MI, Crystal Congregational Church in Crystal, MI, Vickeryville United Methodist Church in Vickeryville, MI, Victory United Methodist Church in Lakeland and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakeland.
Memorial services celebrating Betty’s life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church 4450 Harden Blvd., Lakeland at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014. Family hour will begin at 10:00 a.m. preceding the service. Donations may be made to the St. John’s United Church of Christ Scholarship Fund at 429 N. Washington, Owosso, MI.
Surviving Relatives: Rex Byington, Husband Dorothy (Ernie) Boone, Daughter Robert (Martha) Byington, Son Beulah Case, Sister Ann Morse, Sister in Law Dorothy Boone (Ernie), daughter and son in law Robert Byington (Martha) son and daughter in law Ernie II (Brandi) Boone, grandson and wife Omari (Stephanie) Boone, grandson and wife Chad (Nikki) Boone, grandson and wife Adia Boone, grand daughter Sarah (Stu) Konynenbelt, grand daughter and husband Eric Byington, grandson Ainslie Branson, great grand daughter Sydney Boone, great grand daughter Symone Boone, great grand daughter Jordyn Branson great grandson Lattrael Branson great grandson Jayce Branson great grandson Makena Boone great grand daughter Omari Q. Boone great grandson Samara Boone great grand daughter Hannah Boone great grand daughter Owen Konynenbelt great grandson Isaac Konynenbelt great grandson