Betty Louise Cameron

In Loving Memory of Betty Louise Cameron
May 13, 1930 - January 3, 2017

Betty Cameron was born May 13, 1930, and spent the first 13 years of her life growing up in the fertile farming community of Yakima, Washington with her two older brothers, Richard and Donald Yeager, and one younger sister, Beverly Yeager-Hall. She grew up during the depression. That time was very tough for many American families including Betty‘s. She remembers her mother, Thelma Yeager, canning all the fruit that grew on their land and supporting the family by working in Yakima‘s fruit orchards. They had a milk cow named Betsy and raised rabbits for Sunday dinner. Many times she wanted to go out and play but had to start dinner at the tender age of six since her mother worked long hours in the orchards.  In 1943, her family moved to Tacoma, Washington where her Dad, Ross Yeager, had gotten a new mechanic job. Betty lived the rest of her life in Western Washington.

Betty loved music and dancing. She loved all kinds of music which included Country, Jazz, and Opera. Her father had the special talent of playing instruments by ear. He was most proficient on the banjo. She remembered listening to him belting out the old time country songs. One of her favorite was Red Wing which is about an Indian maid who tragically lost her true love. Betty loved dancing to that tune while her Dad played.

Betty had four children, one born in Tacoma and three born in Olympia. She was a stay at home Mom when the children were young and helped the family income by babysitting in her home. As the children grew older, she was able to work outside the home working for a while at Wagner’s European Bakery & Cafe in Olympia and at a local cleaner. Along with her love of music and dancing, she also loved historical books, gardening and hearty discussions on politics. She was always a caring and loving Mom and worried about her children’s well being. When her youngest son went into the military, she always made sure he had letters and goodies from home.

After some of her children left the nest, she finally had some time for herself. She learned to drive, went to Olympia Technical Community College where she obtained her GED, received her Certificate as a Cashier/Checker in 1980, and received her Associate of Arts degree in Marketing Management June 12, 1981. After graduating, she obtained a job in the Catalog/Credit Department at J. C. Penney’s in Olympia’s Capital Mall where she retired in 1997.

Betty lived in Olympia/Lacey area from 1957 until 2008 when she moved to Shelton with her oldest son, Dennis, to a home her youngest daughter, Patty, built next door to her own home.

Betty, beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt, passed away at home on January 3, 2017. She is survived by her four children: Gayle Huck, Patty Miller (husband Omar Miller), Dennis Cameron, Stephen Cameron; four grandchildren: Dan Huck, Matthew Huck (wife Karin Huck), Brandon Miller, Jasmine Miller; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held January 21 at 1 p.m. at Haven of Rest in Gig Harbor with viewing beginning at 9 a.m.

Memorials can be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Salvation Army or Goodwill.

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