Betty Jo (Straley) Benda, 80, of Anmoore, WV, has left this life to join her family in heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 6, 2016, surrounded by her loving family, following an extended illness.
She was born in Braxton County on March 12, 1936, a daughter of the late Sarah Ethel (Posey) Brown and Rex Romine Straley.
Betty is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, John V. Benda. They were united in marriage on January 12, 1958.
She is also survived by two daughters: Selinna D. “Tina” Benda of Anmoore, Patricia K. Shiflet and husband Carl of Clarksburg; two granddaughters, Justina D. (Colton) Howell and husband Russell of Quiet Dell, and Matrasa E. (Golden) Walker and husband Derek of Bridgeport; and stepgranddaughter, Kristin Shiflet of Charleston, WV. GiGi, as her great-grandchildren called her, is also survived by four great-grandsons, Landen John and Hayden Robert Walker of Bridgeport, Russell Matthias “Max” and Gabriel Victor “Gabe” Howell of Quiet Dell; and great-granddaughter, Cammie See Smith of Charleston; two brothers, Jimmy Laurence Brown and wife Judie of Sutton, and William A. Straley and wife Margaret of Napoleon, OH; along with several nieces and nephews. She will also be greatly missed by her very special sister, Zadah (Richison) Talkington and husband Rexal, their daughter, Rexann (Talkington) Martin and her husband Ed, all of Anmoore; and many very close friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Robert Lee “Jim” Brown, and niece, Charlotte Straley.
Betty graduated from Burnsville High School, Class of 55. During her high school years she was in the Future Homemakers of America, dancing and the Glee Club. She was also homecoming princess her junior year and a member of the girls championship basketball team, as well as in her senior play “Hobgoblin House.” Betty was also a graduate of Clarksburg Beauty Academy.
When she arrived to Harrison County, she began working at Hazel Atlas for five years. There she met her future husband. She was the operating manager of Allen’s Beauty Shop, Floetta’s Beauty Shop and co-owner of O’Jays Beauty Shop until her retirement in 2007. Betty was a devoted member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church until its closure, serving in the church’s Altar Society and head of the most awaited bake sales for Christmas and Easter, for the enjoyed fresh baked nut rolls and other favorite Slovak pastries. She was also a member of the church choir, where she would perform solos sometimes. Additionally, she was a member of St. Nicholas Bzyantine Church and presently Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Her greatest passion in life was her family, faith and her friends. She especially loved spending time with her great-grandchildren, playing board or card games, and of course, Bingo!
