Funeral services for Betty Faye Upshaw Laky, 91, of Jamestown, LA will be held at 11:00 A.M. in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Ringgold, LA under the direction of Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold, LA. Burial will follow in Old Sparta Cemetery.
Betty was born on December 18, 1932 in Sparta/Kepler, LA, to the late Erie Denver Upshaw and Nellie Faye (Murphy) Upshaw. Her childhood was spent on a country road, named after her maternal grand-father, Tom Murphy, surrounded by family, but life would lead to many destinations before her return to the old home place.
Betty was predeceased by her husband of 65 years Joseph S. Laky, her brother Erie Wayne Upshaw, and her sister Judy Elaine Upshaw. She is survived by her sister-in-law Aline Hood Upshaw.
Betty is survived by her children and their families: daughter Elizabeth Laky Boese, husband Matthew Boese, their sons, daughters in law and grand-daughter: Samuel Joseph Boese, his wife Liese Boese, their daughter Estrella Leigh Boese; George Andrew Boese his wife Alexandra Palmer Boese; James Edward Boese his partner Bonita Patel.
Son Joseph Stephen Laky Jr. his wife Catherine Olsovsky Laky, their daughters Lauren Elizabeth Laky and Madelyn Faith Laky.
Betty was an avid reader and an amazing cook. She attended Bienville Schools and graduated with honors including a state of LA Algebra award with a scholarship for college that was unrealized. She attended secretarial school in Shreveport and began her career.
During a night of dancing, Betty met Joe Laky; their love of dancing and each other began officially on December 3rd 1953 and continued throughout their married life.
Life as an Air Force wife was very exciting when combined with two family additions, Elizabeth in 1958 and Stephen in 1959. After staying home for a few years, Betty returned to work. The family followed the Air Force to England in 1963. Betty learned to drive on the left side and worked as a base secretary. Duty led the family to Kansas in 1964 and on to California in 1965. Betty successfully continued to work as an executive secretary for the pilot/officers during experimental testing of advanced aircraft. Betty and Joe retired from the Air Force in 1968 and moved to Ft. Worth for second careers. Betty was executive secretary to the president at Corning Appliance Company (CAC) until her second retirement in 1986.
Life brought the Laky family back to Tom Murphy Road; Betty embraced her final occupations: daughter, sister, mother, grand-mother, sister-in-law, family coordinator, church volunteer, Sweet Adeline’s bass vocalist, tourist, world traveler, and thoughtful neighbor. Her door was always open and her giving nature was all encompassing. She will be missed. Special thanks to the family members who supported Betty: Meagan, Lori, Allen, Adele, Kim and Shea. Sincere thanks to the loving staff of nurses and aides at Green Meadow Haven Nursing Home, Betty’s final residence these past four years.
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