Obituary of Betty Goss Booth

Betty G. Booth Betty Goss Booth Mrs. Betty Goss Booth, 90, of Buckhannon, WV, died Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She was born on February 7, 1924, in Hall, WV, a daughter of the late Daniel C. and Zephia Goss. Mrs. Booth was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Ford Booth; by her son, Daniel N. Booth; and her daughter, Linda Booth Cornett. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Ann Booth Spears, Morgantown, WV; three granddaughters: Vanessa (Salam) Cornett-Murtada, Eagan, MN; Amy L. Tilson, Morgantown, WV; and Sarah E. Booth, Morgantown WV; and one great-granddaughter, Lydia E. Fraley, Morgantown, WV. In addition, she is survived by many loving nieces and nephews of the Goss and Booth families; many extended family members and friends; her business partner, Kay Ware; and many friends of the Dairy Queen Family. Mrs. Booth was a remarkable woman who was successful in nearly every venture that she attempted. In 1942 she graduated as a Valedictorian from Philippi High School. She is best known and remembered as the owner and operator of the iconic Buckhannon Dairy Queen, now in its 60th year, which still remains in family hands. In 2005, she was the recipient of a marble plaque from International Dairy Queen, commemorating 50 years of service. Shortly after, the Dairy Queen was designated as a historic landmark in the town of Buckhannon. In 2007, Mrs. Booth wrote a book, We Had Everything But Money, which detailed her life growing up during the Great Depression in Hall, WV. Her poignant and frequently hysterical account of the childhood of herself and all her friends at Hall is now in 40 states and 3 foreign countries. In one county in PA, her book is accredited for the home schooling program as a legitimate document containing both historical accuracy of the era, as well as a valid account of education in a one-room school, and life in rural America. Hers was a life well-lived. Family and friends will be received Friday, March 28, 2014 from 5-9 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Saturday at the Bethany Baptist Church in Hall, WV with the Rev. Helen Oates officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation Friday, March 28, 2014 5-9 PM Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home Funeral Service Saturday, March 29, 2014 11 AM Bethany Baptist Church Hall, WV Burial Heavner Cemetery