OAKLAND – Betty Lou (Gore) Marshall, 100, beloved matriarch, passed away Jan. 17, 2023, of natural causes. Betty was born on Sept. 30, 1922 in Hooker, Okla. to Milton and Alma Gore, and she was one of five children. She attended schools in Flint Creek, Okla., before joining the Navy two years after graduating high school.

Betty was one of the first women to join the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), which was the women’s branch of the United States Naval Reserve during World War II. She was stationed in New York City, Santa Monica, and San Diego Calif., and through her service she met her soon-to-be husband, David, a Navy Pilot. At the end of WWII, they returned to David’s hometown of Waterville to begin their civilian life.

As their three children went on to college, Betty did as well, earning her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maine. With her degree, she began teaching language arts in Oakland at Williams Junior High, followed by Williams Senior High School (now Messalonskee), for 10 years before retiring.

Even after experiencing personal tragedy, she continued to live her life to its fullest, always having great fun along the way and never mincing words. She became a realtor at ERA McCann in Waterville; she traveled extensively in Europe, the British Isles, and across the US; she volunteered at the Oakland Public Library; and with her son, Jimmy, she designed a custom home that allowed her to age in place to nearly the end of her life. She was a rock star, and may we all be lucky to have as fulfilling a life as she had.

Betty was predeceased by her parents; siblings, Alma Rae, Christine, Milton, and Natalie; husband, David; son, James D. Marshall, and sons-in law, Charles Folsom and Richard Pratt.

She is survived by daughters, Susan Folsom of Fairfield, and Elizabeth Pratt of Embden, daughter-in-law, Judy Marshall of Waterville; four grandchildren, Eliza Folsom of Waterville, R. James (Joelle) Pratt of Jay, Alicia (Howie) Deardorff of North Billerica, Mass., Elizabeth Marshall (Chris Glenn) of Los Angeles, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren, Caitrin Pratt and Rosalie Deardorff.

A private reception and burial will be held at a later date.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful nursing team on the Eagle’s Landing Bravo floor at the Maine Veteran’s Home in Augusta, for their compassionate care and appreciation for Betty’s sharp wit and sense of humor.

Arrangements are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church Street, Oakland, where condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

Everyone who knew Betty knew she was a voracious reader. In her memory, she would love for you to pick up a favorite book to re-read, or if you should so choose, send a donation to:

Oakland Public Library

18 Church St.

Oakland, ME 04963



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