Betty Jo Farnham
October 4, 1939 ~ November 1, 2020
Peacefully with her daughters by her side, she went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 1, 2020 in South Riding, VA. Beloved mother of Terri Lynn Fuller-Radcliffe and her husband Reese, Lori Ann Fuller, David Alan Farnham, Charles Everett Farnham, and John Edward Farnham. Adoring sister of Nancy Talley Wester. Devoted Nanny to Lauren Wester, Mitchell and Greyson Radcliffe, Sarah Farnham, and Sean, Addison and Jaxin Farnham. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alan Everett Farnham and her parents Iris Rose (née Talley) and Joseph Edward Wester.
Betty was born in Raleigh, NC and moved to Washington, DC as a child. She graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1957. In 1962, Betty married her first husband, Guy H. Fuller, Jr. with whom she had two daughters, Terri & Lori.
In 1958, Betty joined the Red Cross as a Grey Lady caring for injured Viet Nam War soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It was here she met the love of her life, Alan. Alan had four children, David, Deanna, Charles, and John. The two wed in September 1972. They raised their blended family at their home of 24 years in Lanham, MD until downsizing and moving to South Riding, VA in 1996 to be closer to their grandchildren.
Betty cultivated many life-long friendships and never met a stranger. She was a talented seamstress, craft maker, baker and cake decorator, avid gardener, amazing hair dresser, and the best cook in the entire world, according to her family and anyone else who tasted her cooking. She could do just about anything she set her mind to and was literally the extra leg for her husband Alan, an amputee. She and Alan enjoyed their time together at their beach house in Bethany Beach, DE until his death in 2000, after which, she would pack up Max, the cat, and make the trip herself or with her family to enjoy the shore.
She loved her family with all her heart and struggled with the thought of leaving them behind. Her family is heartbroken, but knows she is resting in the arms of God and is now reunited with her husband and parents whom she loved and missed so much.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 14 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave W; Vienna, VA 22180. A funeral service will be held at the Old Post Chapel at Ft Myer Joint Base on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 3:00 PM. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will follow the funeral service on January 22. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Betty’s name.
Betty was born in Raleigh, NC and moved to Washington, DC as a child. She graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1957. In 1962, Betty married her first husband, Guy H. Fuller, Jr. with whom she had two daughters, Terri & Lori.
In 1958, Betty joined the Red Cross as a Grey Lady caring for injured Viet Nam War soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It was here she met the love of her life, Alan. Alan had four children, David, Deanna, Charles, and John. The two wed in September 1972. They raised their blended family at their home of 24 years in Lanham, MD until downsizing and moving to South Riding, VA in 1996 to be closer to their grandchildren.
Betty cultivated many life-long friendships and never met a stranger. She was a talented seamstress, craft maker, baker and cake decorator, avid gardener, amazing hair dresser, and the best cook in the entire world, according to her family and anyone else who tasted her cooking. She could do just about anything she set her mind to and was literally the extra leg for her husband Alan, an amputee. She and Alan enjoyed their time together at their beach house in Bethany Beach, DE until his death in 2000, after which, she would pack up Max, the cat, and make the trip herself or with her family to enjoy the shore.
She loved her family with all her heart and struggled with the thought of leaving them behind. Her family is heartbroken, but knows she is resting in the arms of God and is now reunited with her husband and parents whom she loved and missed so much.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 14 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave W; Vienna, VA 22180. A funeral service will be held at the Old Post Chapel at Ft Myer Joint Base on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 3:00 PM. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will follow the funeral service on January 22. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Betty’s name.
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My sweet loving sister. We spent 72 years together and shared many life experiences. You were my playmate, my teacher, my protector and my second Mother. I will hold you in my heart forever and will miss you more than words can covey. We spent almost every day together for the last several years as you slowly slipped away. You and my darling Lauren are the most important people in my life and no words can express the depth of the love I have for you. I will take care of Max for you and each time i look at him I will think of you. I love you my dear sister and will miss you to eternity. Sleep well until we meet again!!
A candle was lit for the decedent.
Thanksgiving won’t be the same without you this year 🙁
The first woman who able to get a comb through my hair, my second mother who treated me like her own child, defended me like the same, laughed with me, loved me, believed in me, held me to her same high standards, and always, always, claimed me as one of her own, lovely, lovely Mama. I will miss you as much as I miss my Mama. Love always and forever, Jilly beaney
Yes she did. We do. We will always, ALWAYS be sisters. Love you. ❤
Loving Nanny as we call her!! We lived in the same building and have known her for the past 4 years! She used to always tell my son Shawn how much she loved him! We have missed seeing her and talking to her! We pray for the family and let there be peace!
A candle was lit for the decedent.
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…rooted and built up in him,strengthened in the faith as you were taught,and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 Heartfelt sympathy
Love, Laughter, and a Trusted Friendship are special gifts we shared together. Betty Jo Farnham has been my friend for over 30 years. Her passing is such a loss to all who were lucky enough to know her. We shared many special adventures and lasting memories. I pray for healing for her childrens’ mourning. She loved them so such. All my love and wishes for peace. Lorraine Blancke
I’m gonna miss you dear friend…I know you are resting peacefully now. RIP dear friend. Your friend Miss Rose day
Momma, you were my teacher, my inspiration, and my best friend. Our journey was complicated and not without trials and it was also the greatest source of growth and strength for me. I have loved you with a passion that knows no boundaries. You taught me so many things that have shaped my life. You were the most independent, resourceful, self-sufficient, talented and creative person I’ve ever known. I’m so grateful to have had your example to emulate. It was my honor to have been able to care for you in your time of vulnerability and, most of all, to have been at your side as you journeyed home. It was both an honor and heart break to have done your makeup and hair, as I did for the last 35 years, for the final time. I will miss you beyond description. There are no words sufficient to describe the profound sense of longing to hear your voice and see your beautiful face again. I’ll think of you and talk to you and look to you for advice for the rest of my life, Momma. And I’ll miss you. I miss you. I really miss you. Thank you for being my Mom. I love you. With all my heart, I love you, Momma. ?
In loving memory, dearest Momma, Betty Jo Farnham. “I am not this hair. I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.” -Rumi