Betty Arnell Lewis

Vancouver, Washington resident Betty Arnell Lewis, 84, passed peacefully on Friday, May 31, 2024 surrounded by her family.

Arnell was born on October 23, 1939 to Jesse and Effel "Babe" Evans in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Arnell studied Elementary Education at Baylor University and met a cute guy in Trigonometry class. Arnell married Guy on May 24, 1958 when they were 18 and 20. Arnell went on to teach fourth grade until she transformed into some of her most cherished roles as a mother, "Aunt Nellie," and later as "Nellie Gram."

Arnell took a high school senior class trip to Las Vegas, where she saw the musical "Guys and Dolls." The song "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck" became her defining song as a mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, as she loved each of us unconditionally "a bushel and a peck."

Arnell had many passions, including painting, sewing, crochet, woodworking, gardening, photographing her flowers, collecting teddy bears, and playing Words with Friends. She was a formidable opponent in Canasta, winning her last game in one round with a score of 6,105.

Arnell was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Guy Mac Lewis. For almost 8 months, he's been saving her seat. She is survived by her sisters, Dixie Wilson, Jenene Wetzig and Jedy Baker. She raised four favorite children, sons Stacy (Tami) Lewis of Front Royal, VA and Torrey (Mindy) Lewis of Hillsboro, OR; and daughters Krista (Scott) Hamrick of Gilbertsville, PA and Tobi (James) Van Camp of Camas, WA. She was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. There is not a bad one in the bunch.


Memorial gifts may be made to Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF)
www.breakthrought1d.org < http://www.breakthrought1d.org/ >