Betty Burnett, 84, life-time Morris County resident, passed away October 8, 2014, at Holiday Resort Emporia, after a lengthy illness.
She was born Sept 11, 1930, to Frank and Effie Fuqua in Council Grove. She married Kenneth Burnett on Sept 28, 1947. They had four children, Pamela, Phillip, Randall, and Alice. They celebrated 50 years of marriage before Kenneth passed away in 1997.
Betty worked at Morris County Hospital for over 30 years starting as a nurse’s aide and then as a surgical nurse after completing training at Newman Hospital in Emporia. After retiring from the hospital, Betty worked for several years with the Morris County Health Department in the Healthy Start program. She enjoyed travelling around the county helping new mothers and especially their babies.
Betty and Kenneth loved dancing, and belonged to a square dancing club in the 60's, and went to other dances as often as their work schedules allowed. They even won a couple of two-step dance contests in Manhattan in the early 80's.
She always stayed busy, helping family, friends and neighbors whenever needed.
Betty belonged to the Wilsey Christian Church and was a member of the choir and the Ladies Auxiliary until her health began to fail.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, her parents; sisters Joann Furman, Zelma Gatewood, Margaret Johnson, Ina Diedrich, and Lola Tornquist; brothers Gary, Don and Roger; and great-granddaughter Brooklyn Faith Burnett.
She is survived by her sons Phillip and Randall, both of Council Grove, daughters Pamela Gentry of Mableton, Georgia and Alice Crowley of Emporia; brother Jerry Fuqua of Topeka; sister-in-law Doris Garrett of Wichita; and brother-in-law Maurice (Sonny) Johnson of Council Grove.
She is also survived by 9 Grandchildren, 11 Great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.