Betty Upton

Betty Upton, age 90, passed away in Pima, Arizona, on July 1, 2009, at the Mulberry House where she had been in residence since February. Betty was born Elizabeth Allen Minton in Jetson, KY, to Allen Thurman Minton and Stella Phelps. She is a descendant of two pre-Revolutionary War American Families who were part of the building of America. Betty was a fervent reader, quilter and writer, earning a Best Quilter award at the Graham County fair. Her poetry depicted her deepest feelings and preserved many happy memories for her family. She was honored at Eastern Arizona College for her winning prose entitled Fifty Years of Relief Society. She worked at the Pima School cafeteria where she was called Grandma by many of the students. It was meaningful that many of those young students, now grown, were her caretakers, EMTs and nurses. Betty was the widow of Lattney Upton who passed away in Pima, Arizona, in 1996. They moved to Arizona in 1954. She is survived by her children, Larry Upton (Judy) of Gilbert, AZ, Melanie Sumner (Lawrence) of Ahwatukee, AZ, Janet John, recently of Raleigh, NC, Pamela Jones (Howard) of Pima, and Sadie Blind (Bob), of Farr West, UT. Betty is also survived by her brothers Hurdel and Evan Minton of Morgantown, KY, Hayward Minton, Bowling Green, KY, and a sister, Gay Luber of San Antonio, TX. In addition, she is survived by 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Betty was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in numerous capacities in both Kentucky and Arizona. Services will be held at the Pima LDS Chapel on Friday, July 10, 2009, with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. and services to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Pima Cemetery.