On Sept. 29, 2023, Betty Mae Spurgeon passed away at the age of 85 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was born to Vernon and Maxine Holycross on Nov. 6, 1937, in Centralia, Washington. Betty was raised by Tressie and Lloyd Merrill, and Clara and Johnny Blosl.

Betty married Bruce Spurgeon on Oct. 1, 1955, in Hoquiam, Washington. After 30 plus years of marriage, they divorced and remained close friends.

Betty was very active and played volleyball, slo-pitch, bowled, and umpired well into her 60s. Betty loved playing softball with her kids and grandkids. She was integral in forming the Grays Harbor Women’s Slo-pitch association.

She owned Creata-Ceramic and Rainyday’s Grill and Games. She was active in her kid’s school PTA and was “mom” to the Cherry Street Kids. Betty was a great seamstress and sewed her daughter’s wedding dress and made her grandchildren’s Halloween costumes throughout the years. She was very creative and artistically talented. She generously shared these talents to help others.

Betty is survived by her three children: Bill (Cathy) Spurgeon of Buckeye, Arizona; Terry (Lizzy) Spurgeon of Hoquiam, Washington; and Debi (Marty) Luther of Lacey, Washington, grandchildren: Amber Wetzel, Autumn Cummings, Steven (Kelsey) Spurgeon-Busz and Bailey Spurgeon, including six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, Scott “Buck” Spurgeon, sisters, Barbara Holycross and Audrey Hamilton and her parents.

One of Betty’s greatest joys was watching her granddaughters play sports at Hoquiam High School. She rarely missed a game or match, therefore the family requests that donations be made to the Hoquiam Grizzly Boosters at PO Box 264, Hoquiam, WA 98550 in lieu of flowers.

A gathering to celebrate Betty’s full life will be held at the Hoquiam Elks on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 1-3 p.m.