Betty Spurrier Eby's Obituary
Bessie Marie Eby was born November 9, 1924, in Augusta, Kansas to Harvey and Dora Culver, and died at the age of 93.
After her father died when she was 5 years old, the family moved to Liberal, Kansas and lived there until she was 12 years old. She moved with her mother to Wichita, Kansas. Her mother married Ray Hornbeek in 1940.
Betty, as she was known, graduated from North High School in 1942. She met Herbert Spurrier after he had returned from Europe at the end of World War II, and married him in 1947. He was Assistant Manager of the Broadway Mortuary in Wichita.
In 1959 Betty and Herb came to Howard, Kansas to operate the funeral home. Herb was a licensed Funeral Director and Betty held an Assistant Funeral Director’s License.
Herb and Betty had 4 children, Marc Steven and Kaye Marie who were born while they lived in Wichita, and Sylvia DeAnn and Brian Herbert, who were born after they came to Howard.
Betty retired with her husband in 1977. She also worked for a time at the Howard Courant-Citizen newspaper. Herb died in March 1990 after a long illness.
Betty was a member of the United Methodist Church of Howard, a member of the UMW of the church, and a member of the American legion Auxiliary. She was given her 50th year pin in 2010. She was a former member of PEO, Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the Howard Mother’s Club.
Betty later married James W. Eby, who had retired as President of the Howard State Bank. They made the most of the time they had. They traveled and saw many interesting places. They tried to see the funny side of everything and enjoyed just being together. They were together for 6 ½ years. He died in June 1997.
She leaves her children: 2 sons, Marc Spurrier and wife Sharron, Brian Spurrier and wife Lori; 2 daughters, Kaye Yates and husband Robert, and Sylvia Stites; five Grandchildren and 9 Great-Grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation for Betty Eby will be Monday, March 12, 2018 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 13, at 10:00 a.m. also at the funeral home. The family has suggested a memorial to: Howard Friendship Meals and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh. com Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 East Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349.
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?
