Betty Jean Carrithers

As a child Betty and her brother Marvin rode their old horse to the one-room country school they attended. Her father would lift them up on the horse in the morning and their teacher or an older child would lift them up in the afternoon to go home. She later attended school in Culdesac, where she graduated from high school in 1945.

Betty attended Lewiston Normal School (now Lewis & Clark State College). After receiving her teaching certificate she taught fifth grade at Grangeville, Idaho, for one year and fifth grade at Clarkston, Wash., for one year.

Betty married Leo B. Carrithers April 29, 1949, in Lewiston. Their daughter Nora was born there in 1950. Their next move was to McCall, Idaho, where Leo was a teacher and Betty a substitute teacher. This is where son Ralph was born.

Leo accepted a teaching position in Parkdale, Ore., in 1954. Their youngest son Dan was born in 1957 and the family moved to Hood River in 1959. As her children grew Betty found time to attend classes at Portland State University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1969 and in 1984 her master’s degree. Betty was a substitute for five years at Parkdale Elementary. She continued to sub in the Hood River elementary schools until she began teaching second grade full-time at Frankton School. In 1970 she transferred to Mid Valley where she continued teaching second grade until her retirement in 1991. Many of her former students would approach her and she would always remember their names.

A highlight of Betty’s life was her involvement in the Tsuruta Sister City program. She greatly enjoyed her trips to Japan and meeting Japanese visitors who came to Hood River.

Betty enjoyed writing and attended the Oregon Writing Project in Eugene several times. She always used her educational activities to improve herself as a teacher. She loved teaching, reading and enjoyed helping children learn. She was an avid bookworm and especially enjoyed mystery novels as well as historical books about places she was familiar with.

Betty and Leo were members of the first Baptist Church (now Faith Bible Church) and enjoyed the fellowship with other members.

Betty is survived by her three children; Nora (Chris) Stengrim, Ralph (Karletta) Carrithers and Dan (Kari) Carrithers; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Frank (Sally) Heuett, Jack (Evabelle) Heuett, and Melvin (Sharon) Hewett; one sister, Pat (Gerald) Van Buren; sisters-in-law, Angie Heuett and Lorene Heuett; many nieces and nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, June and Nora Heuett; infant brother, William David Heuett, brothers Claude Heuett and Marvin Heuett; sister Marie Dickenson and brother-in-law Cal Dickenson.

Services are planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, with a reception to follow. Interment will follow at Idlewilde Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to Providence Hospice of the Gorge, Sister City Program or to the charity of their choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000. Please visit andersonstributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.