Betty Lizbeth (Rice) Culp of Gardners, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2024 in the Comfort Care unit at Gettysburg Hospital surrounded by family. Born March 17, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Alverta (Cluck) Rice of Guernsey along with her 14 siblings. Betty was fifth in birth order, and is survived by two sisters. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard M. Culp in 2008, to whom she was married for 62 years.
Betty graduated from Biglerville High School in 1940 and was immediately employed by the Biglerville Telephone Exchange. After two years she took a war time position at Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg in IBM as clerk typist for the duration of WWII. After the war, she attended Empire Beauty School in Harrisburg, and in 1953 opened a beauty salon in her home which she managed for 62 years, retiring in 2015 at age 93!
The country, the community, the Family has lost another member of âThe Greatest Generationâ. Four weeks shy of 102 is so amazing. She imparted so many values and strengths to the family, and continued to live independently in the house she and Richard purchased in 1950. Back âin the dayâ she and her husband enjoyed travel associated with WWII reunions both abroad and in the states. She was still communicating with several wives.
Betty is survived by her son Philip Culp and wife Kathy of Bendersville; granddaughters Melissa Hoover (Jason Kane) of Aspers, and Alyson Hudson (Will) of Gettysburg; great-grandchildren, Julia Hoover, Austin Kane, and Hannah Roseman.
Betty was a lifetime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Parish, Bendersville, PA.
She is survived by two sisters, Joyce Wertz, Biglerville and Barbara May (James) Gettysburg. She was predeceased by sisters, Evelyn Orner, Mildred Taylor, Mary Carey, Ruth Starner, Kathryn Pitzer; and brothers, Harold Rice, Ralph Rice, Donald Rice, Robert Rice, Clifford Rice, Ronald Rice, and Wallace Rice.
The living descendants of Ralph & Alverta Rice are a large group of supportive, loving family members too numerous to count â Betty enjoyed the Rice family gatherings that brought siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and all the grands together, the most recent being January 2024.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg with Pastor Susan Sott, officiating. Interment will follow the services in the Biglerville Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 PM at the funeral home .Online tributes and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, PO Box 449, Bendersville, PA
This obituary was originally published here.