Obituary of Betty McGarrell

Betty Ward McGarrell, 76, of Roanoke passed away, Wednesday, May 9, 2012 surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert L. Ward and a brother, Robert L. Ward, Jr. Betty was a 1955 graduate of William Byrd High School and attended Radford College. In the 1955 edition of the Black Swan the following was written about Betty, "Here is a girl with a heart and a smile that makes the bubble of life worthwhile". She was voted most popular by her school mates, she was selectd as a Miss Vinton, and Homecoming and Snow Queens. Betty worked at WSLS-TV, General Electric and served as office manager at Roanoke Wood Preservers until her retirement. After retirement she devoted her time to her mother, children and grandchildren. She was a member of Faith Life Baptist Church and a former member of Montvale Presbyterian Church. Surviving are her loving husband, Irvin E. McGarrell; children, Jeanie M. Harlow of Roanoke; Wendy M. Beheler and fiance Jonathan Buttran of Roanoke; Mary J. Owens and husband Clay, of Bedford; Daniel I. McGarrell and Glenda Finney of Salem; grandchildren, Danielle Harlow, Amy and Adam McGarrell; Anthony Beheler, Hunter and Peyton Johnson; mother, Nettie B. Ward of Salem and a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by the Rev. Johnny Basham. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery Vinton. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707