In many ways, Betty Scott defined the meaning of devoted wife, dedicated mother, loyal friend & a woman devout in her faith. A true blessing, her generous spirit, giving nature & warmhearted ways was an inspiration & gift to those who loved & cared for her. Betty found joy & appreciation in the beauty of God's creation around her, & had a passion for sharing about the love of God & spreading the gospel.

Betty Lou Gregg was born during a time of advancement & struggle. While the moving assembly line increased America's ability to produce goods, the U.S. was heavily engaged in World I, the war to "end all wars." The daughter of Alonzo & Catherine Gregg, she was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on April 17, 1917, the fifth in her family of 11 children. Since work was scarce, Betty's family, like many, struggled through hard times. Despite these days of hardship, the good humor of her father & creativity of her mother produced a close, happy family. Betty often spoke of her childhood fondly. With many in her household, she even recalled sleeping arrangements at one time which included some sleeping under the grand piano, while she slept on top of it!

One day shortly after she graduated from high school, one of Betty's brothers brought home a friend, & his name was Robert Scott. One look at Betty, & Robert took a keen interest in her immediately. However, the feeling was not mutual. Robert kept "bugging" her about getting married, so one day when he said, "Let's go to the courthouse on Tuesday & get married at noon.", she said, "Okay." On June 16, 1937, they tied the knot in Rockville, Indiana.

During their early years of marriage living on the farm, there was little money to be had. Before long they began a family of their own, & were eventually blessed with five wonderful children.

In the early 1940s, Betty & her family moved to Noblesville, Indiana when Bob was hired at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. It was during World War II, & the company provided garden plots to their employees during the war years. Betty loved going to their garden with her children in tow to help. She taught each of them all about gardening, & the beauty of nature. She also took her children to a nearby creek where many happy hours were shared together. Betty's children also accompanied her when she went on frequent visits to retirement homes to play the piano & sing for the residents.

While attending a tent revival in Noblesville, Bob & Betty consecrated their lives to the Lord & soon felt a call towards the ministry. In the early 1950s, they began attending the Church of the Nazarene where they heard about Olivet Nazarene College. They moved to Bourbonnais in 1953, & after Bob graduated from ONC, they returned to Indiana to pastor a church in Van Buren. They later took a pastorate in Waterloo, Indiana.

Betty & her family suffered a great loss when their daughter, Brenda, & son-in-law, Stanley Street, were both killed in an auto accident in December of 1965. This overwhelming loss took a great toll on Bob, & in time he was diagnosed with Lupus. He lived only a short while after his diagnosis, & sadly died in December of 1967 at the age of 51.

Alone & on her own, ministering to others remained on Betty's heart in a big way. After returning to Bourbonnais, she worked as a library aid for the Kankakee Public Schools. For several years she traveled quite extensively, & volunteered as a house mother for the Christian Service Corps, based in Washington, D.C. Being in DC was a thrilling time for Betty. She once even convinced a guard to show her the oval office. When she left the Christian Service Corps, she worked for Christian camps.

Working at a camp in Cape Cod, Massachusetts gave Betty an idea. She began collecting the beautiful, smooth stones from the seashore & used the stones to spread the word of God by writing on each one, "God loves you!", &, "For God so loved....". From coast to coast in 1984, she gave the stones to people as she traveled from Massachusetts to California. She continued this habit as health would allow until beginning a new ministry at Assisted Living Centers in the Bourbonnais area. She also continued her habit of playing the piano & singing with the residents where she lived.

Shortly after her 95th birthday, Betty took a fall which found her needing care. She went on to spend the remainder of her days at Our Lady of Victory where she continued to minister & spread the love of the Lord with others right until the end of her life.

Betty Lou Scott was a woman after God's own heart. Faithful & devoted, she loved sharing His word with everyone she encountered. She loved reading her bible, & so enjoyed the company of family. She leaves much to be remembered, & will be dearly missed.

Betty Lou Scott, age 95, passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Our Lady of Victory in Bourbonnais. She is survived by her daughters: Barbra (Gene) Hartness of Bourbonnais, Illinois & Bonnie (Jim) Richards of Minonk, Illinois; sons: Robert L. (Linda) Scott Jr. of Rio Rico, Arizona & Raymond E. (Cindy) Scott of Bourbonnais; her sisters: Rosalee May of Florida & Nancy Lakness of Indiana; brothers: Warren Gregg of Indiana & Dick (Maralu) Gregg of Florida; sisters-in-law: Colleen Gregg, Ireta Gregg & Mary Jean DePugh; nine grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren; many nieces & nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; daughter, Brenda & (Stanley) Street; three brothers: Wayne Gregg, Jack Gregg, & Acel Gregg; & two sisters: Wilma Gregg-McCalmet & Freda Gregg- White.