Betty Eltha Innis died October 9, 2013 at Swedish Medical Center in Denver, Colorado after suffering a stroke and brief illness.
Betty was born on May 10, 1930 in Dodge City, Kansas to Leonard and Eltha Brown of Meade, Kansas. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, E. Eugene Innis of Woodland Park, Colorado, two sons, Steve of Dallas, Texas, and David of Franklin, Tennessee, her daughters-in-law, Nancy and Adrienne, two grandchildren, Isom and Isabella, of Los Angeles, California, a brother, Philip Brown and sister-in-law, Linda Kaye Brown of Meade, and a sister-in-law, Mary Archer of Houston, Texas.
Betty was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs and of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter IL, in Woodland Park. An accomplished pianist, Betty generously shared her talents and knowledge of music with her friends and colleagues in these organizations.
She was a graduate of the University of Kansas in music education and of Tulsa University where she earned a Master’s degree in piano performance. She taught music in the public schools, piano in her private studio and, while living in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was on the music faculty of the college now known as Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Betty was both a member and a judge for the National Guild of Piano Teachers for many years. She was sought out for her ability to educate students while judging their prepared performances. She judged individual piano recitals for exactly one thousand students across the United States. But for all that, Betty will be remembered most importantly for her deep faith and her capacity to love, her sympathetic ear, her kind and encouraging words, and sage advice. She was a lovely person.
On October 22nd, Betty will be placed to rest in the Meade, Kansas Graceland Cemetery with a graveside service. All those attending may assemble at 10:00 AM at the Meade United Methodist Church. Her life will also be celebrated in a Memorial Service at the First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs at a date and time to be determined.
Gifts in her memory may be made to the Music Department of her church in Colorado Springs.
Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.
