Betty Ann Grisco

Betty Ann Grisco of Mountain Home, Arkansas passed away October 9, 2017 at the age of 85. She was born January 29, 1932 in Marietta, Georgia to Frank and Lillian Lewis. In her youth she lived in Georgia, Tennessee and Chicago. She moved to Homer, Alaska in 1958 where she met and later married Joseph Grisco on January 30,1960. That year they moved to Lompoc, California where Joseph had taken a job with ITT, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Betty was a homemaker while raising their 4 children. Betty loved preparing southern food for family and friends. The Christmas gathering of family and friends was looked forward to every year. She prepared a feast of southern dishes and her famous, “Christmas punch”. One of the highlights of the celebration was Betty and Joseph dancing the Polka for family and friends.

Betty was active in the Lompoc community, volunteering as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Red Cross Grey Ladies, teaching bible school at Mission Hills Baptist Church and helping raise money to fund much needed additional rooms at the Lompoc Convalescent Care Center, later renamed the Lompoc Valley Medical Center Comprehensive Care Center. She was also passionate about politics and never hesitated to write a letter or pick up the phone to contact Congressmen, Senators or the White House. She once received an invitation to Jimmy Carter’s inauguration.

Betty’s cooking talents led to a job at the Lompoc Elks Lodge where Joseph was a member. Her favorite part of the job was preparing the food for weddings.

Upon Joseph's retirement in 1989, he and Betty relocated to Mountain Home, Arkansas. Betty was offered a cook position at the “Blue Bird Café”. She eventually ran the restaurant for owners-friends Edith and Richard Driscoll. Betty enjoyed gardening, fishing and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. Betty’s children and grandchildren were the light of her life. Her love and devotion for family was her life’s true purpose. Betty never met a stranger, never turned anyone in need away and will be missed by many. She will be remembered for her direct, no nonsense approach to life, her generosity and her feisty southern spirit.

Betty is survived by daughter, Melissa DeBacker of California; son, Bob (Cindy) Ferguson of Mountain Home; Grandchildren Pamela (Nick) Farrar of West Virginia, Tanya (James) Mercado of Arkansas, James Ferguson and Joseph Martin of California, sister -in-law, Lee (John) Grisco of Seoul, Korea, 5 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 3 great, great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two daughters, Mary Elizabeth “Tyke” Grisco and Janis Cooper; sons-in-law, James Cooper and George DeBacker.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to a charity of choice.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.