Betty Lou Cherry

We celebrate the life of our beloved wife, mother, stepmother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend who "graduated" from this life Monday, June 18, 2012. Betty Lou Lemmon was born to Weston McCall "Mack" Lemmon and Wilma Elmira "Billie" Lemmon, December 23, 1930, in Moreland, Idaho. In November, one month before her birth, Betty may well have gotten her inherent sense of being "well-balanced and grounded" from her mother, Billie, who set out riding in the side-car of her father's motorcycle from Medford, Ore., to Moreland, Idaho to her grandmother's home for her birth. Betty's father, Mack preceded her in death in 1990, and her mother, Billie in 1997. A month after she was born, Betty and her mother, Billie, returned to their home in Medford where her sister, Patricia, brother William "Mack", and baby sister, Jonnie, later joined the family. Betty attended 1st thru 12th grade; graduating from Medford High School in 1948. Betty's first job was at the Southern Oregon Production Credit Association as a stenographer, then at the Social Security Administration. Betty was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, holding numerous callings from Sunday School teacher to Relief Society president. In 1965 and 1968, Betty and her former husband, Art Allen, adopted their two children, Eric and Patty, and made their home in Roseburg, Ore. The family later moved to Redmond, Ore., in 1978, where they owned and operated The Brand Steakhouse and Restaurant for two years. They then moved to Camas, Wash., and eventually in 1984, moved back to Medford to help care for Betty's parents, Mack & Billie. On June 10, 2000, Betty married John J. Cherry, of Medford, and welcomed his children, Steve, Donna, Kathy, Becky, Jan, and Merrie, as well as their children and grandchildren, into her heart and life's circle. John and Betty were one of the first couples to be married and sealed in the "new" Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Medford Temple. As newlyweds and blessedly retired, John and Betty enjoyed traveling by air, cruise ship, and their motorhome. From January 2002 to June 2003, they served together on a mission in Roseville, Calif., and then settled back home in Medford. Of all her hobbies, Betty enjoyed gardening the most, as well as genealogy,' helping others, and always, always, remembering her family, extended family, and friends with a birthday greeting. Betty is survived by her loving husband, John J. Cherry, and their wonderful family; her son, Eric Allen, of Wyoming, Mich.; daughter, Patty Allen, of Seattle, Wash.; her sisters, Patricia Beck, of Central Point, Ore., and Jonnie Stevens (George), of Eugene, Ore.; and brother, William "Mack" Lemmon (Irene), of Rogue River, Ore. Betty was truly blessed by all the loving family and friends who surrounded her in this life. The true measure of one's wealth cannot be counted in coins but rather in the hearts that we have touched. Betty touched more than we can count! We have been so blessed by Betty's life, she has forever imprinted herself on our hearts and we will miss her until we meet again! Services were held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2900 Juanipero Way, Medford, Ore., Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. Interment followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or Asante Hospice. Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary, Medford, OR. are in care of arrangements. www.hillcrestmortuary.com