Betty Greear, 99, of Centralia, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023, at Heritage Woods in Centralia, Illinois.
She was born November 7, 1923, in Centralia, the daughter of Charles and Opal (Bruce) Ray. She married Frank “Bud” Greear on January 10, 1942, and he preceded her in death on March 30, 2009.
She is survived by her son: Dr. Randall Greear and wife Angie of Knoxville, TN; a daughter-in-law: Janet Greear of Centralia; one brother, Wayne Ray and wife Yukari of Fair Oaks, CA; a sister-in-law: Becky Ray of Port Isabel, TX; five grandchildren: Eric Greear and special friend Kristie Blackman of Salem, Jennifer Coppock and husband Jeff of Knoxville, TN, John Greear and wife Veronica of Oak Ridge, TN, Matthew Greear and wife Trisha of Oakwood, OH, and Aaron Greear and wife Jodie of Memphis, TN; Sandra Greear, mother of Jennifer, John, Matthew, and Aaron all of Knoxville, TN; eight great-grandchildren: Josh, Brady and wife Brooke, Cade, Camdyn, Griffin, Amelia, and Ben; two great-great-grandchildren: Aleysia and Mycah; several nieces and nephews; and a very special friend and caregiver: Diana Schram.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son: David Greear, two brothers: Dale and Alden Ray, sisters and brothers-in-law: Ernest and Mildred Greear, Kenneth and Dorotha Greear, Darrell and Reba Greear, Wesley and LaDonne Schnake, Wilson and Maxine Nettles, Harold “Ed” and Betty Ann Womble, and Dale and Mary Ray, and one grandson: Jeff Greear.
Mrs. Greear was a graduate of the Class of 1941, Centralia Township High School, and attended Brown’s Business College. She was a homemaker and secretary, employed by Lear Siegler, Inc. and Irvington Mental Health Center (forerunner of Community Resource Center). She and her husband owned and manage rental properties, from 1967-2010.
Mrs. Greear was a lifelong member of Demaree United Methodist Church (now Cornerstone UMC since its merger with Faith UMC) and was active over the years in many programs and offices of the church; was Choir Director for 35 years. She was Demaree’s first president of the Wesleyan Service Guild Mission Group organized in 1947, served as Vandalia District’s Secretary of the Guild, was the first Secretary of Christian Personhood for the newly formed United Methodist Women (a merger of Women’s Society of Christian Service and Wesleyan Service Guild), Southern Illinois Conference. She also served on several committees and boards of the Southern Illinois Conference. She was a licensed lay speaker of the UMC. She loved to travel and spoke of her journeys at local mission groups. She also led Spiritual Life Retreats for United Methodist Women and Church Women United, where she served as president, from 1979-1980.
Mrs. Greear has gifted her body to St. Louis University for research and cremation. A Celebration of Life Service will be held May 6, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor Therese Melena officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cornerstone UMC and or the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 618-532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Greear Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.
