Betty Lou Wyatt

Betty Lou Wyatt 02/10/1931-09/02/2023. Betty was 92 years young on the date of her death.

Betty Lou WYATT passed away on the evening of Saturday, September 2, 2023, after battling Dementia for over eleven years. She passed peacefully and comfortably in her bed at Ocean Hills Senior Living in the Memory Care Unit in Oceanside, California.

Betty Lou was preceded in death by her husband James V. Wyatt, who died on January 6, 2000. Navigating life without Jim Wyatt was very challenging for Betty and the entire Wyatt family. However, Betty’s strength, sense of humor, feistiness, fun-loving and vivacious personality, and her tremendous love for her family and for others kept her going for another 23 years following her husband’s unexpected death.

Betty is survived by her three children, Gary James Wyatt, Sheree’ J. Smith (Michael W. Smith) and Terri Wyatt (David Gagne). Betty has 2 grandchildren, Darrell J. Smith, and Tyler M. Smith (Morgan Smith) and a 7-year-old great grand-daughter, Lilly Belle Smith. It is believed, but unverified, that Betty is survived by her younger brother, John W. Swicegood. Betty is also survived by two sisters-in-law (Dorothy Doll and Nancy Volschow), a brother-in-law (Fred Kline) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Betty was born in Decatur, Arkansas on February 10, 1931, to parents John W. Swicegood and Dorothy Anderson Swicegood. The Swicegood family migrated to Sothern California when Betty was 4 years old, eventually settling in the Lomita/Wilmington area of Los Angeles County.

Betty Lou Swicegood graduated in 1949 from Narbonne High School in Lomita. It was at Narbonne High School where Betty met the love of her life, Jim Wyatt. The two were married on June 18, 1953. At 92 years old, Betty was one of the last surviving members of the Narbonne High School “49rs” class, and she and class of 48 Narbonne graduate, Jim Wyatt, attended many high school reunions for most of their lives.

Betty is a proud graduate of the California Hospital School of Nursing, in Los Angeles, having achieved her R.N. degree in 1953. Betty often attended her Nursing School reunions as well. Betty remained lifelong friends with many nurses including Joan Tatti, Joan Gimrick, Florentina Shaw and Trudy Ackley.

During her lifetime Betty and her parents lived in the Siloam Springs area of Arkansas and then Lomita/Wilmington. After her marriage to Jim, the couple lived in Long Beach, Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino, and Reche Canyon in Riverside County. Once widowed, Betty lived in Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Carlsbad and Oceanside.

During their 48-year marriage, Betty and Jim Wyatt enjoyed trips to northern California, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Mexico, Hawaii, Bahamas, a Caribbean cruise, a cross country road trip, and many trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin.

Betty made the best of Assisted Living life, despite telling her family, “I guess it’s time for you to take me back to my prison.” Additionally, Betty participated in many activities in Assisted Living/Memory Care, and she often expressed much love and appreciation to her caregivers, especially flirting with all of the guys!

Betty Lou Wyatt is known for her quick wit and her very funny sense of humor. Betty showed total dedication to her husband as a true partner in life, and she was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and caring family member to all her family members. Betty was also a lucky Bingo player and a skilled Poker player. Betty loved to dance and enjoyed music.

As an R.N., Betty was a considerate, loving caregiver of sick patients as a hospital nurse most of her nursing career. Betty Lou was easily loved by all who had the pleasure of meeting her. Betty taught us all how to live life to the fullest and to embrace the positive. Betty Lou will be forever in our hearts and souls.

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In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Betty Lou Wyatt to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online www.DementiaSociety.org/donate .

Considering the outdoor setting and the noon-hour graveside service, Betty’s family suggests that business casual attire is appropriate.