BETTE ANN PARKER

Bette was born on July 17, 1936, in Steubenville, OH, to the late Walter Scott (Zeke) Cable and Mamie Elizabeth Linn Cable. She was a lifelong resident of Island Creek and Knox Township in Toronto, Ohio.

Bette and Paul were married on August 17, 1957, at Island Creek Presbyterian Church. They shared 63 years of devoted marriage before Paul’s passing on January 7, 2021.

Bette was a 1954 graduate and valedictorian of Jefferson Union High School, a 1956 graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and a 1976 graduate of Akron University, where she earned a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Reading. Along with several other Edison Local teachers, she helped introduce and establish a Reading Recovery program for elementary students.

She dedicated 42 years to teaching elementary education in the Edison Local School District, primarily at Knoxville Elementary School, before her retirement.

Bette was deeply involved in many organizations throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of Island Creek Presbyterian Church and Hilltop Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School and was active in the Christian Education Department. She served as both an Elder and a Deacon and was a member of Presbyterian Women. Bette and Paul were charter members of the Mariners Group.

She was a member of the Ohio Eastern Star, Toronto Chapter; the American Morgan Horse Association; the Gold Cup Regional Morgan Horse Show Committee; and the Penn Ohio Morgan Horse Association. Bette and Paul enjoyed traveling, raising and showing Morgan horses, and faithfully supporting their daughters and grandchildren in their activities and sporting events. She also treasured time spent playing cards with her 500 Club group.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lynn (David) Meyer of Steubenville and Dr. Paula (Stephen) Deuley of Chagrin Falls, OH. Lovingly known as “GIGI” by her grandchildren and friends, she will be deeply missed by Josh (Jennifer) Meyer, Caleb (Kerri) Meyer, Jordon (Alyssa) Meyer, Hannah Meyer (Billy Petrella), Dr. Stephanie Deuley (husband Nathan Boninger), Alex (Pat) Leimkuehler, Rebecca (Tyler) Caputo, Parker (Taylor) Deuley, and Jacob Deuley (Mia Graeber). She is also survived by her cherished great-grandchildren: Sydney (Brock), Addison, Charlotte, Bode, Evelynn, Palmer, Aliya, Ava, Carter, Iris, Colsen, and Jack.

Special thanks are extended to the staff at Hope Cottage for their compassion and loving care of Bette over the past two years, especially Stephanie, Rhonda, Lainey, Christy, Ashley, and Jessica. The family is also grateful for the kindness and support of Bette’s neighbors, Jim and Donna Dawson and Charlie and Julie Tice.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home in Toronto, with services immediately following at 2 p.m., officiated by Rev. Jane Schockey. Interment will follow at Ft. Steuben Burial Estates in Wintersville, OH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Valley Hospice, 10686 State Route 150, Rayland, OH 43953, or to Hilltop Presbyterian Church, 110 County Road 46, Toronto, OH 43964. www.jefosterfh.com.