Betty Jane (Doetch) Reed, 88, of Iuka passed away on December 29th, 2024. She was born to John and Agnes (Dietz) Doetch on March 26, 1936, in Ava, IL.
While working at McDonald’s in Salem a mutual friend introduced her to Raymond Branch in the mid-90s. Raymond and Betty enjoyed 30 years of adventures together including trips to Australia and several U.S. states and landmarks. In their earlier years, they were members of the Salem Promenaders Square Dancing Club and remained friends with several in the group. Later in life, Betty enjoyed gardening, landscaping, and daily walks in the warmer months and bird watching and puzzles in the colder months. She also loved to host dinners for family and friends and cherished her new role as “Granny” to her great-grandchildren. Betty was of the Christian faith.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents and 11 siblings: John, Imogene, Margaret, Dorothy, June, Lamoine, Bill, Troy, Harold, Phyllis, and Mary. She is also reunited in heaven with her beloved son Clayton Karl Reed.
She is survived by her partner Raymond Branch and his family of whom she considered her own; children Doug Branch of Iuka, Greg (Kris) Branch of Iuka, Terry (Kathy) Branch of Kinmundy, and Janet (Rob) Bullard of Iuka, Grandchildren Brendan (Jillin) Bullard of Salem, Rhiannon (Ian) Stroud of Salem, Rhett Bullard of Texico and Lindy Branch of Iuka; and 3 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews and in-laws of her own.
A memorial service honoring Betty’s life will be held on Friday, January 10th, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Trent Ice officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM till the time of the service. Burial will follow at the Allmon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marion County 4-H Foundation or the Salem Ministerial Alliance to support the Senior Meals Program and will be accepted at Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home, 310 N. Broadway/PO Box 97 Salem, Illinois 62881 (618)548-1234. Those wishing to extend their condolences online can visit www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home Facebook page.
