Betty Jo LeGrande, 84, of Tampa, FL, died on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in Tampa Florida to complications of pancreatic cancer.
Born Betty Jo Terrell in Mc Camey, Texas on March 11, 1927 to Earl Terrell and Mary McLain. Her mother died in child bearing. She along with her biological brother Kenneth was adopted in January on 1932. Their adoptive parents were Enoch Francis George and Mable Davis George.
Her childhood was spent on a farm south of Charleston, Kansas. She graduated from Ingalls High School and soon married her childhood sweetheart, Rudolph Eichenauer on September 6, 1946. They lived in Johnson, Kansas, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Enid, Oklahoma, Omaha, Nebraska, and Wichita, Kansas where Rudy was a Baptist minister at several churches. They adopted two children, Paul David born in February of 1956 and Melanie Jo born in December of 1961.
Betty was an accomplished musician and played the clarinet, piano, organ, and accordion. She has played the piano at church since she was 9. She played for many singing groups throughout the years. She loved children and animals and was especially good at training dogs. She was a people person and never met a stranger. After meeting her, you wouldn’t forget her. She loved going on missions trips around the world and always helped anyone in need. She loved Oklahoma football and was a season ticket holder for the USF Bulls. She was always on the go and ready for a new adventure. After Rudy’s death in 1990, she married Frank LeGrande in Dec. of 1991. They moved to Florida and have resided here since 1994. She was the church secretary for Fowler Ave. Baptist Church and was their musician.
Betty is survived by her husband Frank LeGrande of Tampa, Florida, a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Debra Eichenauer of Enid, Oklahoma. A daughter and son-in-law Melanie and Calixto Vallejo of Miami, Florida. Three grandchildren, Daniel Eichenauer , Dillon Vallejo and Sydney Vallejo. She also has 2 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Enoch and Mable George, her first husband, Rudy Eichenauer, and her brother Kenneth George.
A viewing will be held 10: AM on Monday, January 23, 2012 at Fowler Avenue Baptist Church located at 6161 Fowler Avenue, Tampa Florida 33617 with the funeral to follow at 11:00 A.M.
She isin heaven playing the piano for the great choir. So happy and smiling.
we will miss her.
We love you Frank, Melanie and Paul.
God Be with you .
Love
Frank, Paul, Melanie, and Family…Our sympathies and prayers are with all of you at this time…We loved Betty. She was such a blessing to us. What a joy it was to have known her and spent time with her over the years.She will be greatly missed in our lives…
Will miss you Betty love you
I am empty of any words to say at the passing of Betty,…we shared many moments of good times together and my heart is sad for the loss. I can see those hands flying on the Ivory keys this morning, playing “Consider the Lilies”, she will be greatly missed by many, but she was loved by so many more. My heart, prayers and thoughts are with you Frank, Paul and Melanie and grandchildren. May the Lord’s blessings be with you to soften each day as you go forward. Love, Roberta
Betty is just away and her memories will always be here, to comfort you, to be with you, and in time to bring you cheer. Her gentle presence and her tender smile,will always remain a special part of all the wonderful memories of her playing the piano, visiting the sick, and driving all the way to Miami. She will forever live in all of our hearts. To the family, thinking of you with the hope that your special memories will bring you peace and please remember that she is just away. With love <3.
Betty was a “Blessing” to so many people all over the world. She loved her Lord, her family and friends,her church and life to the fullest. The last few weeks of her life with us, was a blessing to me. “What a precious Lady she was!We prayed, laughed and cried together, even had a Taco party. I will always cherish this time together with her. God be with all of the family during this difficult time. Ed says his fond memory of Betty was her smile. God rest your sweet soul “Dear Friend”. Play that paino
in heaven……..Love Ed and Rose
We count it a privilege to have known Betty. We will miss seeing and hearing her play the piano. She was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Our love and prayers go out to your family
Betty was a sweet lady who will be greatly missed by her family and neighbors, my thoughts and prayers to her family.
We’ll be missing our mommy Betty, a loving friend, become a mother when we stayed in Fowler together w Rev. Chewning of Fowler Aven. Baptist Church.We’ll not forget their good deeds rendered to us as missionaries. We love them very much. I know shes in heaven now, enjoying the blessings of God. Let the comfort and peace from God be showered to her loving love ones.
Aunt Betty was a very gifted, talented, caring, and loving person…. She always brought a smile to the face and a warm glow to your heart when she was around… We will miss her….but now she is up there in heaven with all those that have gone before her and are waiting with open arms to welcome her….Our prayers are with you Melanie, Paul, and Uncle Frank…
David and I will always have a special place for Betty in our harts. Her love and care set an example for all of us. Love you lady! Bless you Frand Melanie & Paul.
Frank, Paul and Melanie and family,
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Betty but know she is no longer in pain and with the angels playing and singing! Her memories will linger in our hearts and we pray the Lord will give you the strength you need in the coming days. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
My best buddy from the South! I have missed you so! Everytime I play my keyboard, I wish I could play like you. Play beautiful music where you are now and wait patiently for us all to gather. Ayuh!
Neighbor Nan
Betty’s absence will be felt by all who knew her.
She and her dear friend Nancy Bonney, brought me and my precious “Happy” together. Her never ending kindness taught many how to live. We all hope to gather ’round you and the piano again one day.
To the Family of Mrs. LeGrande:
We wish to express our deepest sympathy over the passing of your beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, and share with you a comforting Bible hope found at John 5:28-29: “Do not marvel at this because the hour is coming in which all of those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” This prophecy points to a future when those in the memory of our Creator, Jehovah God, will be resurrected from their inactive state to a paradisaic life on earth as promised by Jesus Christ at Matthew 5:5: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” We can be certain of the fulfillment of this promise because it is recorded in the Holy Scriptures (you may wish to read Revelation [Apocalipsis] 21:3-4). If you wish to learn more about this marvelous Bible hope, please contact us.