Betty Jane Passwaters

Betty Jane (King) Passwaters went to live with her Lord on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.  She was born in Fayette County, Ohio on October 26, 1926 the daughter of the late Marcus H. and Hazel (Yeoman) King.  Also preceding her in death were her two brothers, Bernard and Bertrem King and her sister, Beulah Vest.  Betty was a decendent of Rev. John King who was known as the father of Methodism in Fayette County as far back as the year 1820.  Betty married Donald R. Passwaters while he was serving his country in the US Army, Corps of Engineers during WWII.  Two children, Mark and Melanie were born as issue to this marriage.  Betty was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Sterling since 1944, having served and worked on many committees.  She sang in the choir for 68 years.  Betty retired in 1988 after having worked as Clerk-Treasurer and Council member for the Village of Mount Sterling.  She also worked for Robert E. Wright and Gerald A. Baynes, Attorneys, and for the State of Ohio, Department of Development.  Her first job at the age of 16 years was that of waitress in the corner restaurant which was then owned by Eugene and Maurine King Trimble.  Her interests, in addition to church activities, included vacationing, camping with family and friends, working in flowers and preserving fruits and vegetables, square dancing, card playing, cooking and sewing.  She was an avid seamstress.  Betty loved to bake and she shared many apple pies made from the apples of the family apple tree with her family members and friends.  In addition to refinishing a piano, she also hand-pieced several quilts for her family.  One of her accomplishments for which she was most proud, was carding wolf hair from the family pet, learning to spin it, after which she learned to knit a sweater and other items from the spun yarn.  Her latest endeavor was composing a praise hymn which has been copyrighted and published.  Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald R. Passwaters and her special friend, Jean Bragg.  Betty is survived by her children Mark (Patricia) Passwaters and Melanie Ball, her two granddaughters, Andrea (Beau) Adair and Alecia (Azeem) Haqq, her four great-grandsons: Chaz Murphy and Salim, Cael and Ty Haqq, her great-granddaughter Haven Adair, and her many friends.  Having her children and grandchildren visiting her was a special blessing for Betty.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Sterling at a later date.  (Date and time to be announced.)  Private family burial will be held at Pleasant Cemetery, Mt. Sterling.  The PORTER-TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 331 West Main Street, Mt. Sterling, OH 740-869-2777, assisted the family.  Please visit www.portertiddfuneralhome.com to send condolences to Betty’s family.