Betty Jane (Allensworth) Raney, born and raised in Henderson, Iowa, to Arthur and Minne (Gravett) Allensworth, the oldest of six children. She had two sisters (Norma Jean and Donna Mae), and three brothers (Vance, Douglas and Craig).
She met Charles Raney at a dance in nearby Carson, Iowa. They dated until he joined the Army in WWII. Betty took a train to Washington, D.C. and worked for the FBI in the mailroom. This was the first time she had been out of the state of Iowa. She remembered her father cried when she got on the train and she couldn't understand why.
She was able to see Charles a couple of times, once in New Jersey and once he came to Maryland, before he left for Europe. After the war when he was home on furlough from a hospital in Texas, they were married in Henderson.
They moved to Bolivar Mo., where Charles had an uncle, and to attend college. Their first child was born there (Cynthia). They moved back to Iowa when Charles' father died, and ended up living in Macedonia, Iowa, where they had three more children in four years, Richard (Skip), Phillippe and Mark.
Betty was always in motion — not just with raising four children. She was involved in everything, which in a small town in Iowa was centered around the Methodist Church and the public school. When the children were growing up, she was in Cub Scouts, 4-H, Bible school, church camp, PTA, youth groups. She built floats for the Donia Day parade, costumes for the kids and made all her daughter's clothes, even her prom dresses. She was also the janitor of the church, and all the kids had their chores to do, we knew every nook and cranny of that church — it was like a second home.
If you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
The "rock" quarry north of Macedonia is a beautiful spring-fed lake, surrounded with old oaks, cottonwoods and meadows. It was a perfect setting for picnics, swimming and gatherings. The man who owned it was about to close it and fill it in, when Betty and a couple of others approached him and convinced him to allow it to be a community recreation area. Hundreds of families have enjoyed this beautiful spot and made lasting memories there, thanks to Betty Raney.
Betty was director for the Southwest Iowa Methodist Church's camping program. Hundreds of children and adults were touched by her enthusiasm, love and compassion. She was offered a position on the national level, but turned it down because it would mean moving.
After her children were grown, both Betty and Charles helped start the "Grist Mill" — a community arts/theater organization. They spearheaded the building of the theater in the old John Deere Implement Store, found theater seats from the old Orpheum Theater in Omaha. They helped produce, direct, acted in, made costumes, did advertising — and the "olde English Feast" where both were honored as King and Queen — although Betty's favorite role was that of a witch. It is still going strong.
After moving to Bella Vista in 1991, Betty (or BJ, as she preferred to be called after coming to Arkansas), quickly became involved in the Methodist Church. She worked hard on the annual bazaar and chaired it several years. BJ also loved to decorate and her creative skills were evident as she helped decorate the church for many years. She became very involved with Helping Hands and served on its board as well as working there every week. BJ was also enthusiastic about adding a contemporary service to help serve the newer, younger members of the Bella Vista Methodist Church and has enjoyed attending those services.
BJ managed Cooper Chapel for several years and admired the beauty and serenity of the place. She enjoyed her quilting and the friends she made. When they moved to the Plaza at Highlands Crossing, she again found more things to do — serving on the board and decorating the lobby for the seasons.
Still, in her 80s, she had more energy than some women 20 years younger, with a mind for organization and leadership. Friends from all the different groups enjoyed her sense of humor, how she could see the humor in almost any situation. Her stories are legend.
And if you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church, with Bro. Jaimie Alexander officiating.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark.
She met Charles Raney at a dance in nearby Carson, Iowa. They dated until he joined the Army in WWII. Betty took a train to Washington, D.C. and worked for the FBI in the mailroom. This was the first time she had been out of the state of Iowa. She remembered her father cried when she got on the train and she couldn't understand why.
She was able to see Charles a couple of times, once in New Jersey and once he came to Maryland, before he left for Europe. After the war when he was home on furlough from a hospital in Texas, they were married in Henderson.
They moved to Bolivar Mo., where Charles had an uncle, and to attend college. Their first child was born there (Cynthia). They moved back to Iowa when Charles' father died, and ended up living in Macedonia, Iowa, where they had three more children in four years, Richard (Skip), Phillippe and Mark.
Betty was always in motion — not just with raising four children. She was involved in everything, which in a small town in Iowa was centered around the Methodist Church and the public school. When the children were growing up, she was in Cub Scouts, 4-H, Bible school, church camp, PTA, youth groups. She built floats for the Donia Day parade, costumes for the kids and made all her daughter's clothes, even her prom dresses. She was also the janitor of the church, and all the kids had their chores to do, we knew every nook and cranny of that church — it was like a second home.
If you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
The "rock" quarry north of Macedonia is a beautiful spring-fed lake, surrounded with old oaks, cottonwoods and meadows. It was a perfect setting for picnics, swimming and gatherings. The man who owned it was about to close it and fill it in, when Betty and a couple of others approached him and convinced him to allow it to be a community recreation area. Hundreds of families have enjoyed this beautiful spot and made lasting memories there, thanks to Betty Raney.
Betty was director for the Southwest Iowa Methodist Church's camping program. Hundreds of children and adults were touched by her enthusiasm, love and compassion. She was offered a position on the national level, but turned it down because it would mean moving.
After her children were grown, both Betty and Charles helped start the "Grist Mill" — a community arts/theater organization. They spearheaded the building of the theater in the old John Deere Implement Store, found theater seats from the old Orpheum Theater in Omaha. They helped produce, direct, acted in, made costumes, did advertising — and the "olde English Feast" where both were honored as King and Queen — although Betty's favorite role was that of a witch. It is still going strong.
After moving to Bella Vista in 1991, Betty (or BJ, as she preferred to be called after coming to Arkansas), quickly became involved in the Methodist Church. She worked hard on the annual bazaar and chaired it several years. BJ also loved to decorate and her creative skills were evident as she helped decorate the church for many years. She became very involved with Helping Hands and served on its board as well as working there every week. BJ was also enthusiastic about adding a contemporary service to help serve the newer, younger members of the Bella Vista Methodist Church and has enjoyed attending those services.
BJ managed Cooper Chapel for several years and admired the beauty and serenity of the place. She enjoyed her quilting and the friends she made. When they moved to the Plaza at Highlands Crossing, she again found more things to do — serving on the board and decorating the lobby for the seasons.
Still, in her 80s, she had more energy than some women 20 years younger, with a mind for organization and leadership. Friends from all the different groups enjoyed her sense of humor, how she could see the humor in almost any situation. Her stories are legend.
And if you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church, with Bro. Jaimie Alexander officiating.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark.
Betty Jane (Allensworth) Raney, born and raised in Henderson, Iowa, to Arthur and Minne (Gravett) Allensworth, the oldest of six children. She had two sisters (Norma Jean and Donna Mae), and three brothers (Vance, Douglas and Craig).
She met Charles Raney at a dance in nearby Carson, Iowa. They dated until he joined the Army in WWII. Betty took a train to Washington, D.C. and worked for the FBI in the mailroom. This was the first time she had been out of the state of Iowa. She remembered her father cried when she got on the train and she couldn't understand why.
She was able to see Charles a couple of times, once in New Jersey and once he came to Maryland, before he left for Europe. After the war when he was home on furlough from a hospital in Texas, they were married in Henderson.
They moved to Bolivar Mo., where Charles had an uncle, and to attend college. Their first child was born there (Cynthia). They moved back to Iowa when Charles' father died, and ended up living in Macedonia, Iowa, where they had three more children in four years, Richard (Skip), Phillippe and Mark.
Betty was always in motion — not just with raising four children. She was involved in everything, which in a small town in Iowa was centered around the Methodist Church and the public school. When the children were growing up, she was in Cub Scouts, 4-H, Bible school, church camp, PTA, youth groups. She built floats for the Donia Day parade, costumes for the kids and made all her daughter's clothes, even her prom dresses. She was also the janitor of the church, and all the kids had their chores to do, we knew every nook and cranny of that church — it was like a second home.
If you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
The "rock" quarry north of Macedonia is a beautiful spring-fed lake, surrounded with old oaks, cottonwoods and meadows. It was a perfect setting for picnics, swimming and gatherings. The man who owned it was about to close it and fill it in, when Betty and a couple of others approached him and convinced him to allow it to be a community recreation area. Hundreds of families have enjoyed this beautiful spot and made lasting memories there, thanks to Betty Raney.
Betty was director for the Southwest Iowa Methodist Church's camping program. Hundreds of children and adults were touched by her enthusiasm, love and compassion. She was offered a position on the national level, but turned it down because it would mean moving.
After her children were grown, both Betty and Charles helped start the "Grist Mill" — a community arts/theater organization. They spearheaded the building of the theater in the old John Deere Implement Store, found theater seats from the old Orpheum Theater in Omaha. They helped produce, direct, acted in, made costumes, did advertising — and the "olde English Feast" where both were honored as King and Queen — although Betty's favorite role was that of a witch. It is still going strong.
After moving to Bella Vista in 1991, Betty (or BJ, as she preferred to be called after coming to Arkansas), quickly became involved in the Methodist Church. She worked hard on the annual bazaar and chaired it several years. BJ also loved to decorate and her creative skills were evident as she helped decorate the church for many years. She became very involved with Helping Hands and served on its board as well as working there every week. BJ was also enthusiastic about adding a contemporary service to help serve the newer, younger members of the Bella Vista Methodist Church and has enjoyed attending those services.
BJ managed Cooper Chapel for several years and admired the beauty and serenity of the place. She enjoyed her quilting and the friends she made. When they moved to the Plaza at Highlands Crossing, she again found more things to do — serving on the board and decorating the lobby for the seasons.
Still, in her 80s, she had more energy than some women 20 years younger, with a mind for organization and leadership. Friends from all the different groups enjoyed her sense of humor, how she could see the humor in almost any situation. Her stories are legend.
And if you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church, with Bro. Jaimie Alexander officiating.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark.
She met Charles Raney at a dance in nearby Carson, Iowa. They dated until he joined the Army in WWII. Betty took a train to Washington, D.C. and worked for the FBI in the mailroom. This was the first time she had been out of the state of Iowa. She remembered her father cried when she got on the train and she couldn't understand why.
She was able to see Charles a couple of times, once in New Jersey and once he came to Maryland, before he left for Europe. After the war when he was home on furlough from a hospital in Texas, they were married in Henderson.
They moved to Bolivar Mo., where Charles had an uncle, and to attend college. Their first child was born there (Cynthia). They moved back to Iowa when Charles' father died, and ended up living in Macedonia, Iowa, where they had three more children in four years, Richard (Skip), Phillippe and Mark.
Betty was always in motion — not just with raising four children. She was involved in everything, which in a small town in Iowa was centered around the Methodist Church and the public school. When the children were growing up, she was in Cub Scouts, 4-H, Bible school, church camp, PTA, youth groups. She built floats for the Donia Day parade, costumes for the kids and made all her daughter's clothes, even her prom dresses. She was also the janitor of the church, and all the kids had their chores to do, we knew every nook and cranny of that church — it was like a second home.
If you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
The "rock" quarry north of Macedonia is a beautiful spring-fed lake, surrounded with old oaks, cottonwoods and meadows. It was a perfect setting for picnics, swimming and gatherings. The man who owned it was about to close it and fill it in, when Betty and a couple of others approached him and convinced him to allow it to be a community recreation area. Hundreds of families have enjoyed this beautiful spot and made lasting memories there, thanks to Betty Raney.
Betty was director for the Southwest Iowa Methodist Church's camping program. Hundreds of children and adults were touched by her enthusiasm, love and compassion. She was offered a position on the national level, but turned it down because it would mean moving.
After her children were grown, both Betty and Charles helped start the "Grist Mill" — a community arts/theater organization. They spearheaded the building of the theater in the old John Deere Implement Store, found theater seats from the old Orpheum Theater in Omaha. They helped produce, direct, acted in, made costumes, did advertising — and the "olde English Feast" where both were honored as King and Queen — although Betty's favorite role was that of a witch. It is still going strong.
After moving to Bella Vista in 1991, Betty (or BJ, as she preferred to be called after coming to Arkansas), quickly became involved in the Methodist Church. She worked hard on the annual bazaar and chaired it several years. BJ also loved to decorate and her creative skills were evident as she helped decorate the church for many years. She became very involved with Helping Hands and served on its board as well as working there every week. BJ was also enthusiastic about adding a contemporary service to help serve the newer, younger members of the Bella Vista Methodist Church and has enjoyed attending those services.
BJ managed Cooper Chapel for several years and admired the beauty and serenity of the place. She enjoyed her quilting and the friends she made. When they moved to the Plaza at Highlands Crossing, she again found more things to do — serving on the board and decorating the lobby for the seasons.
Still, in her 80s, she had more energy than some women 20 years younger, with a mind for organization and leadership. Friends from all the different groups enjoyed her sense of humor, how she could see the humor in almost any situation. Her stories are legend.
And if you needed something done, you called Betty Raney.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church, with Bro. Jaimie Alexander officiating.
Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark.
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