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Longtime San Manuel resident, Betty Allen, 69, went to be with the Lord on June 2, 2014.
Betty fought bravely, over the past several months, recovering from numerous ailments and surgeries. She conquered and won those battles with her tough exterior of a personality and strong will that was known to all who knew and loved her. Sadly, repeated episodes with pneumonia had weakened her lungs and she lost her battle on June 2, surrounded by her family as she passed peacefully, while she slept.
Betty was born on January 28, 1945, in Scottsville, Kentucky. She was the youngest of four children born to Ray and Lorene Hooten, along with her sister, Beatrice, and her brothers, Paul and Bobbie.
She moved to San Manuel over twenty years ago to enjoy the peace of small town life, most of her family was soon to follow. It was only recently, this past February, that her family had to move her into the city of Tucson to be closer to medical facilities and her longtime friend and physician, Dr. Judith Brown.
Betty and her siblings endured many hardships associated with “farm life”, but, they also experienced many great adventures in the woods behind their farmhouse, which acted as their playground during their childhood. These years of creating memories and mischief also created an unbreakable bond amongst them that would follow them throughout their lives.
Her passion in life was gardening. In every home she had ever lived in, her first priority was always “Fixing up the yard.”, by planting flowers and shrubbery. She also read many novels and loved to sew, but, her true enjoyment in life was the time she spent with her grandchildren, Rick, Killian, Shoshone, and Paul. All of whom she adored.
She cherished all the wonderful years she was able to be in their lives, experiencing their events as they all grew into adulthood. She also has a fifth grandson, Jeff (“Alaric”), who lives in Louisville, Kentucky, and had spent many years as a young boy in his grandmother’s care.
Betty is survived by her three children: sons, Jeff (Donna) Bessinger, Gene (Dorinda) Bessinger; and, daughter, Holly Davis; brothers, Bobbie (Karen) Hooten and Paul (Laverne) Hooten; five grandchildren, Jeff “Alaric” Bessinger, Rick Davis, Killian Bessinger, Paul Nunes; granddaughter, Shoshone Bessinger; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Lorene Thompson of San Manuel; father, Ray Hooten of Scottsville, KY; sister, Beatrice Bibby of San Manuel; and, nephew, William Hogue of Wasilla, Alaska.
The family would like to express deep felt appreciation to all of our friends and family for their support and comfort during this difficult time, and to the staff of Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson, for the wonderful care they provided.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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