Betty (Urton) Mayers, age 87, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2015at the Seasons of Life Living Center in Syracuse, Kansas.
Betty was born in Garden City, Kansas, on February 6, 1927 to Carl Sidney Urton and Elva Anna (Snelson) Urton. She moved to Syracuse as a young child where she attended school. She graduated from Syracuse High School in 1945.
During her high school years she worked as a clerk at Ford Hardware and also sold tickets at the Northrup Theatre. She got to know O.L. (Lonnie) Mayers during her school years and they married on September 24, 1947. They had one son, Jon Lee, who was the light of their life.
Betty helped Lonnie in their business, The Eastside Garage. She also babysat and worked for several businesses around town. On January 1, 1980 Betty became the director of the Hamilton County Museum, a job that involved her love of antiques and meeting people. She loved educating people, particularly children about items in the museum and their uses. On January 1, 2008, Betty retired. On October 11, 2014, she was inducted into the Hamilton County Historical Society Hall of Fame.
Betty was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She and Lonnie were MYF sponsors, Sunday School teachers, Lay Witnesses and choir members for many years. In the summer of 1939, after the death of her brother, Larry Lee, Betty ask Jesus Christ into her life. Her faith was evident in how she lived her life. She wanted to be a witness to everyone, each and every day. She continued to minister to others until her death.
Betty enjoyed singing with a women’s group called the Local Vocals for several years. Later, she, Lonnie, Jon Lee and other members of the Country Bumpkins, sang at nursing homes in Syracuse and surrounding counties.
She was preceded in death by her father, C.S. Urton in 1965; her mother, Anna Urton in 1991; her brother Larry Lee Urton in 1938; her husband, O.L (Lonnie) Mayers in 1997 and son Jon Lee Mayers in 1995.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, Jan 27,2015 at the Syracuse Cemetery.
Her words:
And now, May the peace of God be with all of you.
I’m off to sing in the heavenly choir.