In Memoriam: Betty Davis, 79; Retired Otego Elementary Teacher

OTEGO – Elizabeth “Betty” Davis, 79, who was raised in Oneonta, then spent a career teaching first and second grade at Otego Elementary School, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Francis House in Syracuse.  Most recently, she had lived in Liverpool.

She was born on March 14, 1935, in Deposit, the daughter of the late Edward and Grace Griffin.  In August 1958, Betty married Donald Davis in Oneonta.  They celebrated over 50 years of marriage before Donald’s passing in 2010.

Betty attended SUNY Oneonta, where she received a master’s in education. She retired from Otego Elementary in 1991. Betty was active in the Otego Historical Society and a member of the Otego United Methodist Church, where she sang in the church choir and served on several committees.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Barron and son-in-law, Stephen, of Baldwinsville; her grandchildren, Caitlin and Matthew Barron; her nephew, Thomas Hooks and his wife, Judy, of Baltimore, Md.; her brothers-in-law, Richard Davis of Allentown, Pa., and Duane Scofield of Schenevus; her sister-in-law, Roberta (Don) Colley of Charlottesville, Va., and many nieces and nephews.

Betty was predeceased by her sister, Martha Hooks and her husband, John; nephew John Hooks, and her sisters-in-law Dorothy Davis, Isabell Scofield, and Alta Smith and her husband, Ralph.

Calling hours are 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Otego United Methodist Church.  The funeral will follow at 10:30, with the Revs. Emily Huyge and Fred Albrecht officiating.  Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Otego.

Memorial donations may be made to Otego Methodist, 10 Church St., Otego, NY 13825 or to the Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208.

Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Otego.