Obituary of Betty Lou Denter

Betty Lou Denter, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend returned to our Heavenly Father on August 5, 2014 after courageously fighting cervical, breast and lung cancer during her time on earth. Betty was born Betty Lou Brown on March 6, 1932, in Cement, Oklahoma; she was the final addition to the family of Bernard Bryon and Effie Pearl Brown, making them a family of six. Her siblings included, sister Bonnie - age 6, brother Mearl - age 12 and sister Dorothea - age 14. Betty remembered her father as "a quiet man" and her mother as "a loving, home-centered woman who loved gardening and fishing." When asked about the most important things she learned from each of her parents, she said her father taught her about integrity, she recalled him often saying that "if you say you're going to do something, be sure to do it." She says her mother taught her everything she needed to know about how to keep a home. At age 9 the family made the drive to California. The drive was a very exciting one for Betty, she remembered it as the first time she had ever been over a mountain and the first time she ever saw a river. The family made the momentous trip together, including her sister Bonnie's new husband Mitchell (the two married the day before) and his parents. The family settled in Port Costa, California and Betty lived in various parts of California for the remainder of her life. The family did not have a television during Betty's childhood, but she discovered the library at age 10 and has been an avid reader ever since. Throughout her life, reading was one of her greatest passions. As a child her favorite activities were outside games, such as Hopscotch and Hide and Seek. Betty remained at home until age 17, when she moved out to her own home in the same city, Fresno, California. Betty was married to E.G. Loveall, a man she met at church, in 1948 in a simple ceremony. She was married to him for 11 years and had two children with him. She remembered him as "a kind man" and said it was a happy marriage at times. Her son Rodney Lee Loveall was born in February, 1949 and her daughter Nancy Gwen Loveall was born 4 years later in February, 1953. Betty always said that she got just what she wanted with her children, a boy first, followed by a girl. She recalled telling Rod that she was carrying his little sister Nancy long before she was born; she was certain it would work out that way and it did. Betty was a strong, independent woman long before it was trendy. She worked in various positions while raising her children; in a packing house, at Gottchalks, as a lab inspector, as a retail grocery clerk and a bookkeeper. Betty had an amazing work ethic; she worked 6 days a week to provide for her young family and in all those years she never missed a day's work. She had the good fortune of retiring to enjoy life at the age of 45. Betty was married again in 1977 to Dean Wilmoth and she gained three step-children, Terry, Caryn and Charles. They remained married until Dean's death in 1997. They had many happy years together filled with wonderful memories that are alive and well today. They lived in the country and their lives were filled with fun, family and friends. The families blended well together and Dean and Betty had a full life with many great adventures. They were focused on enjoying life, spending time with their family, being terrific grandparents, traveling across the country in RV's with their friends, square-dancing groups and much more. Those were happy days. In 1998, Betty moved to Bakersfield, California to be near Rod and Nan and her sister Bonnie and her family. She has kept busy with volunteer work, making an abundance of friends, enjoying her family and was even lucky enough to find love and marriage again. In 2002, Betty married Adam Denter and they enjoyed a beautiful life together until his death in 2010. Adam was a wonderful addition to the family and a great companion for Betty during their special time together. Adam was always joyful and loved to play card and board games with her, which was one of her very favorite things in life...anyone who knew Betty, knows she never passed up a good game. Throughout her entire life, Betty's main focus was enjoying her family. She had a big beautifully blended one with 2 children & their spouses, 3 step-children & their spouses, 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and a great, great grandchild arriving February 2015... the numbers are growing all the time! Nothing made her happier than being around her family! Throughout her life, Betty was an up-beat, positive person who always saw the bright side of things. She always spoke of joyful things, no matter what the circumstances. When asked about the activities she enjoyed most during her adult life, Betty said, traveling, swimming, boating, parties, reading and crafts. Her favorite hobbies were reading, playing card games, bunko and Rummy Tile. She was a fantastic seamstress, she could make just about anything and she enjoyed various crafts for years. She particularly enjoyed teaching her grandkids about crafts. She loved country music and was always ready to dance around the house with any willing grandkid. She can best be summed up as a fun-loving person who loved to have a good time! All of us who had the pleasure of knowing Betty Denter have been touched by a beautiful soul and we are truly blessed to have shared time with her spirit and grace. Viewing will be on Friday, August 8, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home, Southwest, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield, California. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 9 at 2:00 pm, also at Greenlawn with a reception to follow. Betty will be laid to rest on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Sierra View Memorial Park, 4900 Olive Avenue, in Olivehurst, CA.