Elizabeth "Betty" Louise George

Elizabeth “Betty” George

May 26, 1924 - September 11, 2024

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Elizabeth “Betty” George at the age of 100 on September 11, 2024 in Sunnyside.  She was born in Missoula, Montana on May 26, 1924 to Mike and Ella Burke. She brought immeasurable joy into our lives with her kind heart, ready smile, and sense of humor.

Betty attended school in Longview and graduated from Longview High School.  Betty was a proud WWII veteran having served in the 379th Army Air Forces Base Unit from 1944-1945. After being honorably discharged from the military she eventually returned to Longview and worked as a telephone operator until marrying Walter George on March 6, 1954.

Betty was a devoted member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church where she enjoyed baking cookies and cakes and volunteering in a variety of roles including teaching Sunday school.

Betty was an accomplished seamstress and spent many years creating beautiful draperies and quilts for customers, family and friends.  Her love of cards and dominoes kept her active for many years, playing pinochle at the Senior Center in Sunnyside and with a monthly group of friends. Many happy hours were spent around a dining room table playing cards or dominoes with family.

Betty will be remembered for her sense of community and willingness to lend a helping hand.  She was a Life Member of the American Legion Auxiliary and held many offices at the local Unit level and at the District level.  For years she helped put flags on veteran’s graves on Memorial Day, helped sell poppies, and was involved with Girl State. She was a member of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association (WAC VETS), Evergreen Chapter #63 for 45 years. She was a member of the Pearl Hughes Guild and other civic organizations.

Betty is survived by her two daughters, Ann (Pat) Parlin of Prosser and Joan Becker (Sal) of Grandview; four grandchildren, Beth (Andrew) Mulbry of Prosser, Katie Park of Chewelah, Max Becker of Mercer Island, and Krista (Eric) Sturgis of Pink Hill, NC; five great-grandsons, AJ Mulbry, Ben Mulbry, Xavier Morgan, Zander Morgan, and Lincoln Sturgis.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Walter George, her brother, Jack Burke, and her sister, Dolores Smith. 

Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA.  A reception will follow the service.  Donations in Betty’s honor may be made to your favorite charity. 

Those wishing to sign Betty's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com    Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth "Betty" Louise George, please visit our floral store.