Betty Ann Lemons

Betty Ann Lemons, age 86, of Curtice, OH, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Mercy St. Charles Hospital. She was born in Dayton, OH, on September 28, 1936, to Frank and Elizabeth Ann (Nowak) Peters. She attended Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, Dayton, OH. Betty married the love of her life, Donald E. Lemons, Sr., on January 24, 1959, and they spent many happy years raising their family. She later worked for St Elizabeth’s Hospital, Dayton, before moving to Newark, OH, where she and Don purchased a small farm where they raised crops and animals for market. Betty moved to Curtice, OH, in 2012 to be closer to her son, Don, and his family.

Betty loved gardening, canning, and baking. She also had a love for collecting and reading cookbooks. Betty was the treasurer for the United Methodist Women of Smith Chapel Church in Newark, OH, for 42 years. She was a lunch lady for Blessed Sacrament School where her grandchildren attended. Betty enjoyed watching football, especially Notre Dame and Oklahoma State University. She was an Avon saleswoman for thirty years and a member of the Red Hat Society. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Newark, OH, and later Our Lady of Lourdes in Genoa, OH. She was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Committee and cared for the Third Station of the Cross from 2014-2015. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, and St. Jude. She was an extensive collector of Fenton milk glass which she displayed on the hutches her husband built for her using walnut trees on the family farm.  Betty was a voracious reader and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, reading it at least once a year. She was known for her crocheted afghans and handmade quilts. Betty’s greatest joy was her love for her family and faith.

Betty leaves behind her sons, Donald Eugene Lemons, Jr. and his wife Pamela Lemons, and Stephen Lloyd Lemons and his wife Pamela Grubbs; her grandchildren, Rene' Eileene Ann Lemons (Brandon King), Darcie Elizabeth Lemons (Ryan Malloy), Cecilia Eliza Jean Lemons, Maria (Nathaniel Clager) Lemons, Joel (Anna Siverson) Lemons, Austin (Kayla) Lemons, Ashley (Jesse) Myers, and Alexander Lemons; her great-grandchildren, Leah Myers, Myles Lemons, Ellianna King, and Naomi Clager. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Sr., in 2002.

Family and friends may visit at the Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd. in Oregon, OH, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 204 Main St., Genoa, OH, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior in the church narthex. Betty will be laid to rest with her husband at Smith Chapel Cemetery, Newark, OH, on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at noon. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Grotto Committee, Genoa, OH,  or to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Newark, OH.