Betty Louise Simms

Betty Louise Moore was born June 17, 1934 to Willie James Moore and Mary Elizabeth (Harrison) Moore in Caroline County VA. and passed away, April 28,2025 in Atwater, CA.

Betty was one of five children.  She is preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas (Sonny) Moore, Charles Tyrone Moore, Willie Rodgers Moore, her parents and her husband William Gregory Simms.  She is survived by her brother Kenneth Jarod Moore and his wife Suzzeth Moore, her daughters, Gail Marie Palmer, Teresa Bernice Simms, son in law Sammy Johnson, Lisa Mary Grace Yee, son in law Ronald Yee Jr., her grandchildren Richard Allen Palmer, Veronica Pilar Palmer, Donyell Xavier Johnson, Branden Joshua Sayles, Courtney Shanice Mixon,  Whitley Sade Mixon and Gregory Wendell Mixon, her great granddaughter Qhiara Mae Brooks, great grandson Khyree Richard Allen Brooks, great great granddaughter Mezayah Jelani Nicole Harris, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty graduated from Frederick Douglas High School in Baltimore, MD.  At 19 years of age, Betty married William Simms August 9, 1953 and became a military wife. They were married 64 years.  Betty and her family arrived at Castle AFB in the summer of 1965.  

Betty was very active in the community as a Girl Scout leader, devoted church member, NCO Wives club member to name a few.  She was instrumental in leading the CCD program at Castle AFB and at St. Anthony's church along side the order of Franciscan Nuns.  She led the choir at St. Anthony's church for several years and also had a children's choir.  While actively attending St. Anthony's church she and her husband adopted a Vietnamese war refugee family, furnished their home and taught them and their children to read, write and speak English.  

Betty was a devoted wife and mother, she contributed to the home by working as an Office Manager for various Pediatricians in Atwater and Merced.  She was a very talented artist, cake decorator and seamstress.  Betty also had a very beautiful singing voice. In high school she was a member of the Glee Club.  She loved to sing hymns, gospel music, ballads, old R&B and pop tunes.  She was an active member at Christian Life Center (CLC) and sang in the choir.  There she sang in many of the productions, helped with costumes and directed the Children's choir.  She also traveled to NY with CLC to sing with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  Her love of music also led her to become a member of Jan & Friends, a local group of Seniors that traveled to sing and perform karaoke in nursing homes from Merced to Hughson spreading joy, life and kindness to the residents and staff.

Betty touched a lot of lives and will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to know her.

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