Abbott, Betty L 1925-2016

ABBOTT, MARTIN, BRIGGS, GOWLER, SEEVERS, MILLS

Posted By: NettieMae
Date: 1/5/2017 at 20:33:53

FULTON Betty L. Abbott, 91 of Fulton died December 1, 2016 at the Alverno in Clinton, IA.

Betty was born on November 24, 1925, the second child of George Dewey and Lotus (Martin) Briggs in rural Piatt County, IL. She attended a rural one room country grade school and graduated from high school, third in her class, from Weldon, IL high school in 1942. She attended Brown Business School in Decatur, IL and worked in Decatur until enrolling at the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1944. She graduated in 1947 with a degree in Liberal Arts, Commerce and Education. She was employed for two years at Cochran Studebaker in Champaign, IL.

Betty married William M. Abbott on June 12, 1948 at the Cisco Methodist Church. They farmed together in the Fulton and Thomson, IL areas. She was a census worker while raising her children.

She attended the Spring Valley Presbyterian Church until it closed, then transferred her membership to the Garden Plain Presbyterian Church where she had served as an Elder. After the children were raised, she was employed at Nitrin near Cordova, IL and then for 18 years at Clinton Corn Products in Clinton, IA as an accounts receivable clerk. Betty served as an election judge for many years and was a member of the Fulton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She was a member of the Fulton Historical Association where she had served as a docent for many years. Betty had served as an usher at the Show Boat Friday night for many years and was a long time blood donor at the American Red Cross having given over 37 gallons. She had also donated several afghans to them; and she had volunteered at the Fulton Food Pantry.

Betty enjoyed reading, working puzzles, local traveling for one day trips that could be done between farm chores and the end of each day. She enjoyed eating out where somebody else did the cooking and washing of the dishes. For many years, she hosted the family Thanksgiving dinner and had been part of the committee for the area Christmas Day dinner. Betty tried to keep the cookie jar filled for her family and for everyone who worked on the farm or came to the house.

She is survived by her husband of 68 ½ years, William M. Bill Abbott; their four children: Dr. Linda Abbott of Tamarac, FL, Charles J. (Dianne) Abbott of Arlington, VA, Alfred R. (Lila) Abbott of Marietta, GA and Louis D. (Debby) Abbott of Pocahantas, AR; 8 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; her brother Roger (Allce) Briggs of Argenta, IL; her sisters; Audra Gowler of Monticello, IL and Mariam (Stanley) Seevers of Argenta, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her older sister Georgia (Robert) Mills and one grandson in infancy.
A gathering of friends and family will take place on Saturday December 17, 2016 from 10 11 AM at the Garden Plain Presbyterian Church, rural Fulton. The memorial service will follow at 11 AM in the church with the Reverend James Camps officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded. Arrangements by the McDonald Funeral Home, Fulton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fulton Food Pantry or the Fulton Fire Department EMS.