Bettie J. Brunton

BRUNTON, Bettie Jean, 85, of Waynesville, OH passed away Saturday March 27, 2021. She was born in Coxton, KY on September 17, 1935 to Clelly and Clydia (Emery) Croley. The family moved to a farm in Piketon County, OH around 1943, where Bettie enjoyed growing up in a large family of ten children. After graduating from Stockdale High School in 1953, Bettie took a job as a Proofreader for McCall Corp in Dayton, OH. One morning, while awaiting the bus to work, a car pulled to the curb in front of her. She recognized the young man behind the wheel as a classmate from Stockdale, Grover Brunton. He explained that he had recently moved to the area as well and was surprised to see a familiar face as he was passing by the bus stop that morning. He offered her a ride to work. They were married on June 2, 1956 and were truly devoted to one another for the remainder of their lives. Bettie and Grover welcomed three daughters into their family. She was a loving, supportive Mom who liked to dance, sing, and tell stories. Her love of travel insured that summers were filled with many adventures and experiences to remember. The family spent countless hours together exploring beaches, mountains, and caves. Bettie loved unconditionally, but also taught her girls to be self-reliant; she was a practical optimist. Interviewed once for a school assignment, she responded to a question, regarding what her experiences had taught her, as follows; “I’ve learned that there is usually some good and some bad in almost every situation and that to be happy you must learn to make the most of the good, improve what you can of the bad, and either ignore the rest or accept it and go on.” Bettie was a first generation “super mom”, as she strove to balance raising a family, working outside the home, and pursuing personal interests. At various times, she worked as a Proofreader, an Administrative Assistant, and a Purchasing Associate. Her proudest career achievement however was when she helped to establish the Ferry Christian Church Day Care Center, which she then directed for six years. This work perfectly combined her love of teaching children, her deep faith, and her outstanding organizational skills. Her work with the day care center was noted in the churches’ sesquicentennial program as an important part of their outreach program. Bettie took evening courses in business, administration, and preschool teaching. She was active in Eastern Star, serving in various roles for her local chapter, and was elected Deputy Grand Matron in 1984. She was also one of the co-inventors of the famous Sauerkraut Pizza sold each year during the annual Waynesville Sauerkraut Festival to raise funds for Eastern Star and Masonic charities. Her primary role following official retirement in 1987 was providing full-time support to the churches where Grover served as minister. She enjoyed worshipping with the congregations, teaching Sunday school, organizing Christmas programs, and much, much more. Once blessed with grandchildren, Bettie cherished the time they shared together and could often be found dancing with them to the Footloose soundtrack or helping them create books, paintings, clay figures, or any other number of creative crafts that she delighted in inventing for them. In the moments when she wasn’t working, studying, or actively caring for others, Bettie enjoyed tending to her garden. If it was warm and the sun was out, that’s where you would find her. She earned the nick-name “lady bug” the honest way and we already miss seeing her out there amongst the flowers. Bettie is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, her parents, her brothers Eugene, Burton, Charles, and William Croley and her sisters Doris Scarberry and Eunice Webb. She is survived by her daughters Kim (Randy) Spratt, Karyn Brunton, and Kristi MacLaren, grandson Daniel Spratt, granddaughter Caitlin Spratt, sisters Janice (Roger) Jackson, Carol (Dave) Anderson, and Paula Tackett, as well as many beloved nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held 12 PM Monday, April 5 at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery, Corwin. Mike Tuttle will be officiating the services. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Monday at the funeral home. During this difficult time, if you are feeling ill or unhealthy in any way, you are encouraged to pay your respects in alternative methods, such as sending a sympathy card or sharing a memory though our online tribute wall. In addition, the services will be streamed live. The web stream will be available by clicking the link below Bettie’s obituary on your mobile device at www.stubbsconner.com or by accessing it from tribute wall tab of Bettie’s page via computer or tablet. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.

Bettie J. Brunton

September 17, 1935 - March 27, 2021