Geraldine Alloway

Geraldine "Betty" Alloway, 96, of Parsons and formerly of Altamont, passed away at 9:18 a.m., Sunday, July 16, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society in Parsons.

She was born on April 4, 1927, to Lewis Efton and Thelma Cumi (Tevebaugh) Cranor in Wann, Oklahoma.  As a young girl, she grew up in the Edna area, attending the one-room Ripon School.  She lived through the Great Depression and the Dustbowl Days.

Betty and Norman Lee Alloway were engaged before he went for Army Ranger training.  While he was away, Betty waitressed in Coffeyville and helped care for both sets of grandparents.  While he was stationed in Italy, Norman was reported Missing in Action and after a month, his status changed to a Prisoner of War.  He was released one and half years later.  Upon returning to New York, he called Betty and told her to quit her job, he was coming home and they were to be married.

Betty and Norman were united in marriage on June 4, 1945, at her parents' home in Edna.  Following marriage, they owned and operated a dairy farm outside of Edna for most of their married lives.  Betty helped Norman run the farm by driving tractors and helping in the milk barn.  For a few years, she also worked at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and Adventure Line in Parsons.  Later they moved to Altamont, where Norman passed away in 2004.

Betty was a member of the Edna Baptist Church for many years.  In more recent years, she attended Grace Baptist Church and Western Way Cowboy Church in Altamont.  While on the farm, she was an active member of the local Extension Home Unit.

Family and heritage were important to Betty.  She cherished her Cherokee Indian lineage.  Taking care of family and friends was central to Betty's life.  Serving her family and opening their home for hospitality characterized her life.  She took joy in loving others this way.  For many years, all the Alloway's and Cranor's would gather at Norman and Betty's home for Sunday dinner.  She also enjoyed traveling.

Survivors include:

Two sons – Eugene Alloway of Altamont, Kansas

Frank Alloway and his wife, Glenda, of Parsons, Kansas

One daughter – Linda Herold and her husband, Kenny, of Altamont, Kansas

One daughter-in-law – Barbara Alloway of Edna, Kansas

Thirteen grandchildren

Thirty-two great-grandchildren

Ten great-great-grandchildren

Two brothers – Robert Cranor of Rogers, Missouri; and Vernon Cranor and his wife, Anna, of Cortez, Colorado

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Alloway, on May 8, 2004; one son, Dean Alloway; one great-grandson, Connor Nicholas Villar; two brothers, infant Raymond Lewis Cranor and Elmer Lowell Cranor.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the Grace Baptist Church in Altamont.  The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 21, 2023, at Grace Baptist Church.  Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in Edna.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.