Betty Olive Ashby was born January 15, 1943, the third of six children to Harvey and Edna Byers in Olathe, Colorado. She entered into rest July 18, 2013, at 70 years of age.
Betty survived and conquered polio at the age of 14, learning to walk again with the assistance of her little sisters and a broom. At the same age, she became a member of The General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn. On October 18, 1963, Betty married her childhood and best friend, Doyle William Ashby. To this union, three children were born, Tom, Ginger, and Russ.
Betty's life was centered around her family and she loved being "Grandma" to Riley and Kayla, Dylan, and Olivia. She devoted much of her time to seeing that her children and grandchildren were cared for, taught well, and would someday become caring, loving, adults who would love God and His people. She was so proud of the responsible young adults her grandchildren were becoming and was thrilled with any new accomplishment they were able to achieve.
Her nieces and nephews were also special to her and she doled out many words of advice and was always there to lend a listening ear in their times of trouble or discontent. She didn't always have all the answers but you could bet "Aunt Betty" was going to care and love you through whatever your trial.
Betty loved any chance at an adventure, whether it be a drive to Rubidough Canyon to see if the rain made the river overflow its banks, a late night walk in the cemetery, or a "ride along" on a coyote hunt with the boys, as long as it involved family or a friend, she was up for it!
She was a caretaker at heart, always willing to care for anyone in need, many times anonymously, supplying groceries, clothing or money to a family in need. At a young age she never shied away from sitting with the sick and she cared for an elderly neighbor for many years. She cared for her sons through motorcycle accidents; her grandsons through the bumps and bruises of childhood; several of her nephews through broken legs, ankles, arms, etc. Later in life, she took care of her father, and her Aunts Lora and Flora until their deaths. Even in her last days, much of her concern was with lifetime friends Kereth Easter, Bob and Merrill Morris, Sharon Byers and Nora Lindsay, and how they were getting along with their illnesses.
In 1988, Betty was near death with an illness and fought her way back to near full health, to enjoy seeing her children marry and welcoming her grandchildren into the world.
She had much sadness later in life with the passing of her husband Doyle Ashby, son-in-law Terry Byers, infant grandson Bailey Ashby, sister Mary Neely, and brother Lester (Bud) Byers, but she plodded along, always loving her family and keeping a wonderful sense of humor.
She is survived by son Tom Ashby and wife Vanessa of Atoka, OK, daughter Ginger Chambers and husband Danny of Yukon, OK, son Russ Ashby of Grand Junction, CO; brother-in-law Forrest Neely of Cortez, CO; sister-in-law Bess Byers of Olathe, CO; sisters Patty Arnold and husband Bob of Slaughterville, OK, Sheryl Retherford and husband Jody of Vinco, OK, Wanda Gibson and husband Greg of Delta, CO; sister-in-law, Beverly Peterson and husband Marvin of Palisade, CO; lifetime friend Twila (Boyd) Gourley of Delta, CO, and many other close friends and family.