Betty Lou Tarr

Betty L. Tarr passed on the morning of October 16, 2023, at 9:10 am, in the presence of her loving daughters in Bend, Oregon. Born to Wm. Franklin Dunaway and Mabel Hewey (Hamilton) Dunaway in 1935 in Vanceburg, Kentucky, she was the youngest of ten children. Betty has one remaining sibling, she endearingly referred to as "Sissy". She was married for sixty-seven years to the love of her life, Charles R. Tarr. Sadly, Charles passed in 2018 in their residence with Betty and their daughters, in Washington State. Betty moved to Bend, Oregon in 2019. Betty and Charles have four daughter: Barbara Nelson (Ron, spouse), Beverly Pahlisch (Dennis, spouse), Bethany Jackson (Allyn, spouse), and Bobi Swan (Todd, spouse). Betty and Charles have nine grandchildren: Joshua Shook (Rhiannon, spouse), Jeremy Shook (Julie, spouse), Joshua Pahlisch (Jonna, spouse), Daniel Pahlisch (Rebekah, spouse), Phillip Pahlisch, Nathaniel Brooks (Percillia, spouse), Rebekah Routson (Chris, spouse), David Swan (Nandita Kumar, fiancé) and Taylor Swan (Nicholas Hamner, fiancé). Betty and Charles have also been very blessed with seventeen great-grandchildren. Betty frequently referred to her childhood as very happy and blessed although farm life was very hard. Being the youngest of ten and her parents having gone through the loss of two children, her parents were strong, centered and loving. Betty had the utmost respect and admiration for them. She was raised on a farm along the Ohio River where they raised cattle, other farm animals and grew their own food. Her mother sewed and ran a bustling household where farm hands were well taken care of in addition to their own large family. Betty had fond memories helping with kitchen preparations and helping her mother run the home, which was very large. Her upbringing prepared her for a life of service and the gift of hosting countless guests in her home. Betty was a preacher's wife and she had been well prepared in this. Shortly after her marriage to Charles, they moved to Hope, Kentucky after he accepted his first full-time Senior Pastor Position. She often served her church by volunteering her time and effort in walking alongside her husband in whatever was needed. She played piano, sang in the choir, helped with kitchen centered church activities, women's ministry and counseling other women. Her husband was completing his undergraduate degree and seminary education, which added to her tasks in supporting his education. During his education she became a new mother. While her life centered on her family and church, Betty's sweet, kind and gentle personality attracted those outside the church walls. Although very shy, she would minister to others in whatever setting God would call her to. In the final hours of her life, a striking conversation took place with a nurse tending to her tragic injuries. This young man, seeing all her family come to her side, talking, laughing with her, praying, and, in quiet sorrow - crying, he asked if she would adopt him as her grandson. With all the love of a Christ centered life, she replied "Yes, I sure will". This, was her legacy, a life of Christ's love and a gospel centered yearning to see all who came to her in those final hours, in heaven, with her. Her conversations with others ultimately went to sharing the truth of the gospel that she knew has eternal consequences. Betty is now at perfect peace - with the ultimate love of her life, Jesus - and in His presence! "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1

Betty Lou Tarr

August 3, 1935 - October 16, 2023