Obituary of Betty C. Garst

Betty Jane Crawford Garst, 93, of Salem passed away on Friday, November 5, 2021.  

She was born February 19, 1928 in Roanoke, a daughter of the late Percy and Eunice Crawford.  She graduated from William Fleming High School in 1947, University of Virginia School of Nursing in 1950 and received her Nurse Anesthetist degree from The Ohio State University, using this degree for years at Shenandoah Hospital.  When it closed, she went to the Lewis Gale Hospital Labor and Delivery department.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, John Allen Garst, Sr., her son, John Allen Garst, Jr. and her sister, June Crawford Wirt.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Mary Garst Staples and husband Butch; five grandchildren, Jamie Staples Snead and husband Patrick, Jason Staples and wife Erin Boggs, John Allen Garst, III, Joanna Garst Kinney and husband Justin and Stephanie Garst Peck and husband Caleb; seven great grandchildren, Hallie, Aubrey, Kayden, Emelyn, Levi, Isaiah and Hattie; brother, Percy Crawford, Jr. and sister-in-law, Irene Garst Umphlett and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to express sincere thanks to the staff at the Joseph C. Thomas Center of Richfield Living, especially Martha, Mandy, Brenda and Wendy.

In keeping with Betty's wishes, the burial and graveside service will be private.  In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial tributes be made to the DDX3X Foundation at ddx3x.org in honor of her very special great granddaughter, Emelyn.

Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home.