Betty Jean Atkinson was born Friday, January 18, 1924 in Racine, Wisconsin .
she died Friday, March 30, 2012. her recorded age was 88.
ATKINSON Betty J. Atkinson, 88, of Columbus, OH, passed away on March 30, 2012. Survived by daughter, Kay Ball (Dan Flynn) of Lewis Center. Her son, Tom Atkinson, died unexpectedly in January 2011. Betty was a restaurant owner for many years in downtown Worthington (Norma's Restaurant) and then moved to California where she was a hotel sales director. She attended UCLA to obtain a teaching certificate and taught vocational school. She had a strong influence on her many students to encourage them to enter the hotel and restaurant management field. During her lifetime, Betty was a member of the Worthington Chapter #287 O.E.S., Zonta International (California), and the Worthington Moose. She also was a member of the Worthington Presbyterian Church before joining Worthington Christian Church. Betty was baptized in the Jordan River in 1998 with her daughter Kay. Betty enjoyed playing poker with friends and family and always seemed to win their money. She loved to travel and visited many countries with her daughter Kay. The residents of Claremont Retirement Village appreciated the cookies and chocolates that Betty would distribute as she drove around the facility on her scarlet scooter. Betty enjoyed football pools and could pick the winners a lot more often than her son Tom. Betty wrote a book on her life experiences for her grandchildren (Christopher & Trevor Ball) and great-grandchildren (Cassidy, Katie, Abby, and Zach Ball). Her main theme was "always get an education and then you can achieve anything!" Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, with Rev. David Roberson officiating, at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH, where friends may call 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3rd. Burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Worthington, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Claremont Retirement Village, 7041 Bent Tree Blvd., Columbus. OH, 43235. in Betty Atkinson's memory.