Minnie Elizabeth "Betty" Henry

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Minnie Elizabeth "Betty" Henry

Our sweet mother Minnie Elizabeth “Betty” Henry passed away June 8 ^th after a long hard battle with cancer. She was born on September 07, 1923 in West Plains, Howell County Missouri to the most wonderful parents, John Robert Summers and Grace Bell Riley and moved to Idaho in 1947. Her father had 11 siblings and her mother had 7.

She was raised on a farm as an only child but with dozens of cousins. She would get up early to milk the cows before school. She followed her father all other even up the forest service fire towers when he went. During the depression her parents went to Chicago to work while she lived with her grandparents in Missouri. After graduating high school in 1937 she went to Missouri Southern Baptist College and received her teaching certificate in 1939. She then returned home and started her teaching career in 1939. She met Carl McGhee Henry in her 2 ^nd year of college as he studied to be a teacher also, they married December 7, 1941 but later divorced after having 3 children Carolyn Elizabeth “Kay”, Gwynda Jo and John Michael.

Betty was a teacher for 40+ years with the last 20 being special education. She taught at Langston 2 years, Green Meadows 1 year, Pierce Park 6 years, Garfield 14 years, Whittier 2 years and Taft 20 years. After teaching at Whittier she was given a sabbatical leave in 1975 and went to Idaho State University to help set up the program for talented and gifted children and children of special needs. Upon completion she returned to Taft elementary to teach children with learning disabilities. She received the Red Apple award in May 1985, the Clarissa Hug Teacher Award of the year in 1987 for CEC (Child Exceptional Council) which she belonged to from 1969-1987 and she also belonged to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Omicron Chapter from 1977-2013. She received her BA Degree from Boise State College in 1971. She was active in PTO, member I.E.A and B.E.A since 1949. She conducted workshops in social studies and art. She worked on the first Special Olympics in Pocatello and received a gold medal for participa ting. She wrote a proposal for the gifted and talented program for Taft school in 1975.

I teach because there is a great fulfillment that comes in working with girls and boys.

I teach because I wanted to be a sculptor, and I can do so, by shaping lives for the future.

I teach because I wanted to be an artist, and I can do so, by painting dreams for children.

I teach because I wanted to be a musician, and I can, in giving inspiration to children.

I teach because I wanted to be a historian, and I can in having recorded something for the lives of great men to come.

I teach because I wanted to be a poet, and I can in writing impressive passages of mankind.

I teach because of the reward I receive when a child's frowns turns to smiles, or when he/she says, "Now I understand."

I teach because of the personal growth I receive each day as I venture out on a quest for knowledge and techniques to help my students understand.

I teach for it is in this where I can see the worthwhile and true fulfillment of living.

Betty is survived by her 3 children Carolyn Pickerell (husband Rod), Jo Stanley (Stan) and John Henry (wife Cilia), 5 grandchildren Kenneth (wife Deidra), Christine (husband Pete), Robert (wife Regina), Stephanie, Angie and 6 great grandchildren McKenna, Katie Jo, Joseph, Daniel, Phillip and Luke and 1 great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandson Kevin Lee Gentry.

The viewing will be held at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel 5400 Fairview Ave June 13 ^th from 6:00-8:00 pm, grave side service at Dry Creek Cemetery 9600 W Hill Rd June 14 ^th at 10:00 am with a reception to follow at Plantation Country Club 6515 W State St. at 11:00 am.

The family would like to extend their gratitude and love to the healthcare providers that took such good care of mother.

MSTI (Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Dorn) and St Lukes Hospice (Deanna, Sara, Julie, Liz, Sherry and Shelly).

We love and miss you so much mother.

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