Person Page 4,065

Obituary (Findagrave.com):

Betty J. Killingsworth, of St. Augustine, passed away in her home overlooking the ocean, surrounded by family, on Dec. 4, 2006.

Betty was born in Iberia, Mo., on March 1, 1922, and spent her childhood in South Bend, Ind. Following high school, Betty moved to California, where she attended the Professional School of Art and Photography and began an exciting career as a photojournalist and model. During her career as a photojournalist, she had the opportunity to meet and photograph many famous people, including jazz and blues legends Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

Her career as a photographer presented many opportunities for travel. She met her future husband, W. H. Killingsworth (affectionately known as 'Gator' to locals), while on a photo assignment for Marineland. Betty and W. H. were married in 1949. They lived on the island with their daughters, Kayla and Marla, and son, Mark, in the shadow of the Lighthouse and opened a family fruit stand and gift shop on Anastasia Boulevard. W. H. passed away in 1965.

Following the death of her husband, Betty began a successful career as a real estate broker that would span more than 30 years. She was the first woman ever elected president of the St. Augustine/ St. Johns County Board of Realtors and the St. Augustine Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Betty volunteered in many civic organizations. She was instrumental in organizing and creating programs to help the lives of the developmentally challenged in St. Augustine and Northeast Florida.

Later in her life, Betty opened Sea Bridge Landing Antiques, where she was able to pursue her passion for researching and dealing in antiques. She had an avid interest in art and rocks. She had a genuine love for life and family and friends. She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind.

Betty was predeceased by her husband, W.H. Killingsworth.

She is survived by her twin sister, Virginia Murphy of Indiana; daughters, Kayla Douglas and Marla Pennington of St. Augustine and son, Mark Killingsworth of Gainesville; sons-in-law James Pennington and the late Frank Douglas of St. Augustine; grandchildren, Damon and Siobhan Douglas, Shawn and Goldie Douglas, Eric Douglas, Jessica Pennington, James Pennington Jr. and Shane Leitmeyer; and great-grand children, Alexander Douglas, Caitlin Douglas, Jasmine Douglas, Teddy Douglas and Sarah Douglas, all of St. Augustine; nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held by her family at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Lightkeeper's House at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and her friends are cordially invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to Community Hospice, 4114 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or Goliath & Bebe's World, Inc., P.O. Box 444, St. Augustine, FL 32085.

(St. Augustine Record, 12/07/06.)

Obituary (Findagrave.com):

Virginia L. Murphy, 90, formerly of Mishawaka, passed away at 4:35 am Friday, June 8, 2012 in the Hales Corners Care Center, Milwaukee, WI. She was born on March 1, 1922 in Iberia, MO to the late Heusted Bancroft and Eva Ellen (Uselman) Berry. On April 11, 1942 in South Bend, she married Dorlen W. Murphy. They happily enjoyed 50 years of marriage before his passing on July 10, 1992.

Virginia is survived by one daughter, Kathleen L. (Mike) Pence of Olney, MD; two sons, Ricky L. (Lea) Murphy of Trafalgar, IN and Bruce D. (Donna) Murphy of Hales Corners, WI; ten grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren.

Virginia graduated from Lakeville High School. Her life was full and rich with family and friends. Her passions were her family, craft painting, hot fudge sundaes, gardening, fishing, big band marches and traveling anywhere from an hour to the lake or cruising to Alaska and beyond. Today she is reunited with her husband, her twin sister, Betty J. (Berry) Killingsworth, and so many others that have patiently waited for her to join them. She will be missed so much by those of us left behind, but we know she is there waiting with open arms to welcome each of us one day.

Funeral services for Virginia will be at noon on Monday, June 11, 2012 in Palmer Funeral Home - Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, with Rev. Brian White, pastor of Lakeville United Methodist Church, officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 am until noon in the funeral home Monday prior to services.

Online condolences may be sent to the Murphy family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.