Betty Jean Bell Earley

May 25, 1930 ~ December 25, 2020

Betty Jean Bell Earley was born on May 25, 1930 in Jackson, WY.

She and her younger brother Charles “Chug” loved growing up on the ranch in Jackson. Betty remembers as a child her mom tying her and her brother with a long rope to the tree on wash days so they wouldn’t run off and get lost while she was busy washing.  

Betty rode horses and had her own horse, Rusty, who she dearly loved.

Betty was an excellent athlete and played basketball and softball.

Chug once paid a boy at school 25 cents to beat his sister up. Betty handled the situation and took the quarter and reported to her mom what her brother’s plan had been.  

Betty married Melvin Earley on April 7, 1958. They had three sons Vern, David, and Gary.

The family lived in Layton, UT; Salt Lake City; and Wendover, NV before moving to Blanding in 1975. Mel and Betty lived in their home at 239 East 300 South and made friends with all of their neighbors.

They grew an amazing garden and bottled thousands of bottles of produce and grape juice.

Betty was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony of her Savior.

She loved working in the Boy Scout program and was a great example to all of the young men she served.

Betty was also the Relief Society President in the Blanding First Ward. She loved and served the members long after her calling ended. She was a dedicated visiting teacher and enjoyed visiting with the sisters.

Betty held many jobs and was a hard worker. She loved working at the Albert R. Lyman Middle School and served the students and staff the most delicious rolls, cookies, and everything else she made. She mixed in a little extra ingredients and a lot of love to make the kids enjoy school lunch.

Betty was kind and caring with each of the students there. One time she went home and got a new pair of socks for a student who didn’t bring any to school and needed some to be able to go bowling.

She enjoyed seeing the kids around town after they went on to high school.

A special individual who never forgot about Betty and took the time to go visit her with a gift at Christmas was Stetler Shumway. She was so appreciative of his kindness.

Betty loved her little red car. One day she was at Clark’s Market and Doug Latham happened to be there at the same time. Betty was confused as to why her keys wouldn’t start her car. Turns out she was in Doug’s car!

Betty had a love/hate relationship with her television, and loved Mountain Dew, Butterfinger candy bars, and her three cats.

She always had a big smile on her beautiful face and loved talking to everyone she ran into. Her family was most important in her life. She spoke fondly of them each day.

Betty passed away peacefully on Christmas Day. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Mel, and her son Gary.

She is survived by her son Vern (Debbie), David, four grandsons, one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter, along with friends who love her.

Special thanks to Kristen Johnson, Cassie Stoltzer, Zion’s Way Hospice nurses, and Danny Palmer.

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