Betty Lou Douglas

Betty Lou Douglas, age 83, passed away peacefully at home on March 12th, 2020. She was born December 30th, 1936 in Duffy, West Virginia to Charles O. Thompson, Sr. and Beatrice {Long} Thompson.

Betty moved to Ohio in 1969, where she went on to receive her Associate's Degree in Hospitality Management. She used her degree to pursue a career with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Akron Associates Food Service Administration as a food service administrator at Fallsview Psychiatric Hospital, until she retired in 1991.

Betty was a firm believer in Christ. She dedicated herself to serving as a deaconess at Tallmadge Alliance Church for 10 years. She was also an Awana leader with the church for 18 years, and served in both the children's programs and numerous church functions throughout the years. She was a lover of people, especially children. She always insisted that the children she worked with at the church, as well as children of neighbors and friends, refer to her as "Grandma" or "Grandma Betty."

Betty was also a gardener. Every spring, she could be found planting flowers and vegetables in her backyard. She found joy and purpose in providing her homegrown and canned produce to her family and friends every year, as well as baking breads and cookies for others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Beatrice; her daughter, Debra {Douglas} Lauck; her sister, Wanda {Thompson} States; and her brothers, Larry and Russ Thompson.

Betty is survived by her son, Ron Douglas, and daughter-in-law, Denise Douglas; her sister, Alma {Thompson} Strader; her brothers Bob and Charles Thompson; her grandchildren, Justin and Jamie Douglas, Jordan and Autumn Douglas, Brady Douglas and his fiancee Melissa Prileson, April and Ryan Freeman, as well as numerous "adopted" grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by four great-granddaughters, Reese Douglas and a baby girl, due to arrive in June, Hailey and Alyssa Freeman.

She will always be remembered for her strong faith, loving heart, and kind soul.

Visitation will take place on Monday, March 16th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer, Akron Chapel, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron. A funeral service will take place at Tallmadge Alliance Church, 1155 East Ave., Tallmadge at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17th, with Pastor Zach Reeves officiating. Interment will follow the service at Hillside Memorial Park, Akron. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betty's memory to Tallmadge Alliance Church.