Betty J. Davison

Betty Joan (Thompson/Runyan) Davison was born in Webster City, Iowa on December 13, 1932 and moved with her parents to Boone, Iowa shortly after her birth, where she lived until graduating from high school in 1950. Her sister Dorothy was born a year later and her sister Patricia two years after. Two older half-sisters, Vivian and Lois, whose Mother had died in 1920 were a very important part of her life.

She was baptized in her grandparents’ Methodist Church in Kalona, Iowa. She grew up in the Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone, where she was active with her family who were all confirmed members. She began piano lessons at age 10, played the piano for Sunday School and sang in the church choir. Betty remembered singing with her two sisters in a trio with their Mom accompanying them on the piano for midnight Christmas Eve church services. During her high school years she accompanied the Junior High Orchestra on the piano and sang in concert choir and glee club. She also sang in the Iowa State Teachers College Mixed Chorus.

Betty attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI), earned her Elementary Teaching Certificate, and taught Kindergarten in Webster City Schools for four years. During the summers Betty returned to Iowa State College Physical Plant Department, working as an IBM keypunch/verifier clerk.

After four years of teaching, Betty married Harold Runyan and moved to Chicago where he completed his Bachelor’s degree and began his career as a YMCA Director. A son Don and daughter Sandy were born in Chicago. They moved to Dallas, TX, where Harold was a YMCA Program Director and their son Dave was born.

In 1969 the family moved to Indianapolis, IN where Harold worked at the YMCA for three years. Betty continued substitute teaching. They enjoyed family activities with Betty’s sisters Vivian and Lois’ families, as well as Betty’s cousin Harriet and family.

In 1969, Harold transferred to the Wyandotte, MI YMCA. The family moved to Southgate with their two sons and one daughter where they were active members of the Wyandotte Presbyterian Church and Betty sang in the church choir.

Three and a half years after her husband Harold’s untimely death in 1976, Betty married Thomas Davison, who was active in the YMCA programs. She attended membership meetings, was baptized and joined the Community of Christ, Riverview Congregation in 1980. Tom, an ordained Teacher, and Betty were active in the Carleton Congregation for twelve years with worship planning, playing the organ and

piano for worship services, directing the choir, teaching Sunday School and working with the youth groups. Betty was called to the Office of Priest in 1984; one of the first group of women called to the priesthood. She transferred her membership to Riverview Congregation in 1992 following Tom’s death, where she continued her busy church life. She was ordained to the Office of Elder in 1995. She played piano for church worship services until 2024.

In addition to her love of music and church work, Betty’s interests included reading and Bible study, history, gardening, travel in US and Europe, attending plays, the symphony and vocal concerts and visits to art & history museums, as well as presidential libraries. She was a volunteer adult literacy tutor for over 25 years and also tutored younger children in reading and/or math. At the age of 85 she taught an Adult class for Church Ministry. She was a volunteer visitor for Hospice, and volunteered for the Red Cross. She loved being a Girl Scout Leader during her teaching years in Webster City and for her granddaughter Laura’s troop from Kindergarten to sixth grade.

Added to her love of teaching, her greatest joys came playing the piano and spending time with her friends and family, especially the grandchildren. As a result of her two marriages, she was blessed with a wonderful family of sons and daughters, including nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Her home was filled with photographs of family and friends. She especially loved being called “Grandma Betty” or “Miss Betty” by the children and youth in Riverview Congregation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Lois Thompson, her sisters Vivian, Lois, Dorothy and Patricia; her husbands Harold Runyan and Tom Davison, and her stepsons Tom and Steve Davison.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her son Don and wife Peggy, daughter Sandy and husband Jim, and son Dave and wife Kim; the Davison brothers and wives, Jim and Ginger, Tom’s wife Beth, Steve’s wife Wendy, Larry and their sister Ruth Ann; grandchildren Allison & Nikki Runyan, Matthew (Jen) Davidson, Laura (Russell Alberts), Amanda & Erin Davison; Christopher (Amy), Dan (Liz) and Andrew (Melissa) Miller; and great grandchildren Sarah Jane and Benjamin Davidson, Alex & Chloe Hogan, Joseph, Sophia & Olivia Alberts, Aaron, Siri, Zane, Kimberly, Max, and Gracie Jean Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and friends.

Visitation will take place at The Martenson Family of Funeral Home, Allen Park Chapel on Friday, August 8 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The funeral service will take place at Riverview Community of Christ on Saturday, August 9 at 12:00 pm. Burial will take place immediately following at Ferndale Cemetery.