COLUMBUS, N.C. — Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” Ash Lane,

age 97, died Tuesday, August 31, in Columbus, N.C. Betty was born on September 28, 1923, in Alton, Ill., to Orpha Ruth Heathman Ash and Joseph Fifer Ash. Betty went to the University of Illinois, graduating in 1946 with a B.A. in Liberal Arts, with a double major in English and psychology, and a minor in biology. It was at the University of Illinois that she met architecture student William “Bill” Hart Lane and they were married September 15, 1946, in the 12th Street Presbyterian Church in Alton.

Betty and Bill were the proud parents of four little blonde girls. Once they were all school age Betty returned to college—-this time to the University of Memphis to pursue an M.A. in Education in Guidance and Counseling. Betty began the guidance program at West Memphis High School, and after the family moved to Jonesboro she worked at Bay High School. Her longest tenure was at Jonesboro High School, where Betty and her best friend, Carolyn Langford, worked together for many years. Betty retired from guidance when she and Bill moved to Little Rock in 1976.

Betty was a lifetime PEO, being initiated in Jackson, Miss., in 1952. She joined a PEO chapter immediately whenever they moved and had instant friends! Betty was one of the founding members of Chapter CK in Little Rock. She also was a member of the Arkansas Arts Center Fine Arts Club and served as library chair, and was a Board Member of the Gaines House.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, Bill, who died in 2006, and one grandson, Andrew Brannon, who died in 2021. Betty is survived by her four daughters: Anne Paget of Houston, Texas, Lucy Brannon (Tim) of Tryon, N.C., Susan Buckner (Jim) of Pine Bluff, Ark., and Betsy Morton (Steve) of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by eight beautiful and exceptionally bright grandchildren, whom she loved dearly: Scott Lane Paget (Catherine), and Thomas Paget (Patricia), both of Houston, Texas, Betsy Brannon of Atlanta, Ga., Michael Brannon (Claire) of Los Angeles, Calif.; Lindsey Buckner Pearce (Blair) of Burleson, Texas, Alice Buckner Curtis (Jason) of Dumas, Ark., Kelly Morton Eisenzoph (Jonathan) of Carrolton, Texas, and Emily Morton Fox (Seth) of Rowlett, Texas, and twelve equally beloved great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of Ruebel Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock, Ark. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.