Elizabeth Watt (Biles)

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Biles was married to James Watt on April 2nd, 1950 in Ontario California. In 2017 on that day God chose to call her to her heavenly home to be reunited with her husband. She was 97 years old. Betty was born September 14th, 1919 in Westfield, Indiana to Wilson and Geneva Biles. She was the eldest of 5 children, the others being Harold, John, Ruth, and Donald. Her family moved to Oregon in 1929, arriving only months before the black days of October 1929 that gave way to the depression years of the 30's. Betty graduated from Salem High School, and eventually moved to Los Angeles to attend Upland College. She graduated from Upland and started teaching primary grades. She taught at Alta Loma Elementary School in 1950, the year she married Jim. Shortly after their marriage, Jim was called back to the service to serve in the Korean conflict. He was stationed in San Diego. Soon afterwards, Betty moved to San Diego, which became their new home. Betty taught 2nd grade at Sunset Cliffs Elementary School. In 1953 Jim and Betty purchased their first home on Parrot Street where they lived for 37 years. Many friendships developed with neighbors there who became like extended family. In 1954, she became a stay-at-home Mom to Susie. In 1959 she had a son, John. Betty adored her children. She delighted in being a Mom and all that went with it: Girl Scouts, Little League, car pools, PTA. In the late 60's she returned to teaching with San Diego Adult Education, teaching Parent Participation.

In 1982, Jim was reunited to his daughter from a previous marriage, Vicki Spearman. Betty and Jim embraced Vicki, her husband Mike, and their children Dena and Jeff. After retiring from teaching, Betty took up her passion for writing. She relished writing historical stories based on the lives of her family members. She also worked on her family genealogy with her cousin, Marian Biles. She cherished her time spent reading, she enjoyed traveling, and she LOVED her family. She loved God with her whole heart and delighted in studying and teaching His word. Betty was a longtime member at Christ United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and led Vacation Bible School. She was a group leader with Bible Study Fellowship and led Bible Study groups while attending College Avenue Baptist Church. She loved investing in the lives of her friends and family. She was a faithful listener, counselor, and surrogate mother to any who sought out her wisdom, and was a treasured friend to many. After Jim passed away in 2000, she lived out her days at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in Spring Valley CA, where she was loved and well cared for by many caring nurses, chaplains, friends, residents, doctors, and staff.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Jim, and is survived by her daughter Susan (John) Danielson, son John (Janet), and stepdaughter Vicki Crain (Mike) Spearman, Grandchildren; Andy and Jennifer Danielson, Jordan and Rebecca Watt, Dena Pollard, and Jeff (Katie) Spearman, Greatgrandchildren; Kristen and Liana Pollard, Kyle, Kody, and Kayla Spearman, and Great-great granddaughters; Cora and Emelia, also many nieces and nephews from Oregon and Arizona, including niece Christine Gregory in Dallas, Texas.

Betty’s life will be celebrated at the Mount Miguel Covenant Village Bailey Center, 325 Kempton St, Spring Valley, CA on April 29 th , 2017 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the Mt. Miguel Covenant Village Benevolence Fund: (619) 479-4790.