She was born on Nov. 15, 1927, in Charles Town, and was the daughter of the late Herman W. Willis and Berenice Stanley Willis.
She was an active member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, serving in numerous capacities, including district treasurer for the Women's Society of Christian Service. She was also a member of the Jefferson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. In earlier years, she was a secretary at Newton D. Baker Veteran's Hospital, worked for the Jefferson County Board of Education, served as librarian at Charles Town Senior High School and was employed as a teller at the Blakeley Bank and Trust for many years. Betty's life was centered on her home and family; she was much-loved and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by one son, Dr. Richard L. Riley of Davie, Fla.; one daughter, Bonnie S. Ballenger, and husband, Mick, of Millville; four grandchildren, Sheila Spangler, Suzanna Brady, and husband, Adam; Stefanie Longerbeam, and husband, James; and Sarah Riley; six great-grandchildren, Kayla and Michael Spangler, Christian and Jackson Longerbeam, and Haley and Landon Brady; a cousin, Jean Long, and husband, Clarence "Kitty" of Charles Town; and one sister-in-law, Kathleen Miller, and husband, Thomas of Laurel, Md.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. (Jim) Riley.
Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, US 340 at Halltown Road, Charles Town/Harpers Ferry, with Dr. Henry Christie officiating. Interment will be in Edge Hill Cemetery at Charles Town.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Independent Fire Co., P.O. Box 925, Charles Town, WV 25414 or to Jefferson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, 300 S. Preston St., Ranson, WV 25438.
Condolences to the family may be left at her obituary at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com