Betty Hunt

Betty Aileen Hunt was born February 8, 1928 in St Louis, Missouri. She was the second of two children and the only daughter of Carl Joshua Schmidt and Maude Elizabeth (James) Schmidt.
She believed the following character traits are important and strove to uphold them in her life:
Put God first, Be a good listener, Never degrade others, Lift spirits of others with love, Not a profiler as all people have value. You must first prove your unworthiness, Never formulate an opinion on first exposure, Be open minded and Try not to be anxious
The following are some excerpts from recent reminiscence of Betty:
Grandfather William Franklin James was big influence in my life. I spent four summers with him at his house in Des Arc, Missouri (4 to 8 years old). Sydney Anna James, my Grandmother, always took me to the Nazarene church with Grandpa. The Church always had a fall tent revival, and on September 4, 1936 when I was eight I walked down the aisle to accept Christ. I was so happy, partly because my Grandpa was so proud. We sat on the porch that evening talking about Jesus. Later that night my Grandpa died of a massive heart attack (September 5, 1936). It was the first real traumatic event that led me to turn to God in a much more meaningful way. I needed something to take his place, and I remember Grandpa telling me always to "Keep God first." Although at times later in life I tried to look away from God, I always looked back. I'm thankful that the words of my Grandpa always came back; "Believe in yourself, believe in God, believe that you are God's creation, and keep your temper and your ego from taking over."
Grandpa James ran the local grocery store and Blacksmith shop in Des Arc and he was good to everyone. He was always on the verge of bankruptcy throughout the Great Depression as he gave credit to everyone to ensure no one went hungry. After the store closed he always took me with him to find the milk cow. Grandpa would hold my hand as we walked and walked, listening for the bell around her neck. I'd get so tired walking and then he'd put me on his shoulder. He would tuck me into bed and say, "Go to sleep little girl, God is with you and I'm right beside you."
I learned much from my father, Carl J. Schmidt, but I suppose mostly steadfastness and a strong work ethic. He taught me to never give up and believe you can do anything. He made it a point to tell me he loved me every day. He was a firm believer in God and always volunteered to clean and repair the Presbyterian Church we attended in St. Louis. He never took money for his service. He was a true servant and I admired that.
I started High School (10th - 12th) in 1943 in Normandy, Missouri. I graduated in 1946 as the boys were coming home from the war. I joined the Civil Air Patrol in High School to learn to fly. I would have liked to join the WASP to ferry planes but was still too young by the end of the war. On the day I was to solo, the girl before me tore up the landing gear. I never flew again. I substituted Modern Dancing for PE. My favorite classes were Chemistry and French, and I always have enjoyed learning. I played the violin in orchestra from 4th through 12th grade.
My mother, Maude Schmidt, was an English teacher in St. Louis. I hated English, so we did not always get along. She did teach me how to be a domestic - to cook, clean, and iron. I had to iron the sheets every Saturday, even though all I really wanted to do was play tennis (not on a Wii). I never remember a time that my mother ever told me she loved me. I know she did in her own way, but from that I learned to love everyone and lift them up -- to not judge from first impressions.
Carl Lyndon Schmidt was a wonderful brother - my bro. My Dad called him "Jack" because he wouldn't stop fidgeting - like a jumping jack. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army for WWII and was sent to Europe. He landed at Normandy Beach on D-Day. He wrote me a letter and said, "Betty, you'll never know how fast I dug with my little shovel to take cover on the beach. I never want to go through that again." He never did talk seriously about what happened that day. Like my dad, Jack had a very strong work ethic. He always had time to help others and give of himself. He was a good cook, too. Kind, generous and loving to me - couldn't ask for a better bro. He seemed to be attuned to my emotions and always came to play with me and lift my spirits when I was down and alone. I remember him taking me to the movies with him and his date. I had to sit downstairs while he sat in the balcony - hmmm. At 15, he took me to the Louis Armstrong concert with him. Not many brothers would ask their little sister to go on dates - I loved him for including me, even if I had to sit in the rumble seat.
During the summer of 45 I took the B&O train to Washington DC to visit my Aunt and Uncle, Preston and Pauline James. He was a conscientious objector and when enlisted seemed to spend more time in the brigade for not following orders - He was so smart though that they made him an officer and assigned him to write history. He was very influential in pushing me to get a good education and sparking a desire to learn. While visiting the sights, I happened to be standing in front of the White House when President Truman walked out to the fence and made the announcement that the War in the Pacific was over (V-J Day). I wasn't more than 20 feet from him. He had a great big grin on his face. I danced to the Missouri Waltz with an unknown sailor on Pennsylvania Avenue. The whole town was celebrating.
After High School, I was accepted to the University of Illinois, but couldn't find a place to live. All the GIs had precedence. Instead, I went to Mississippi College where Uncle Preston was running the History Department. He got me into the dormitory and a job in the cafeteria to pay room and board. I did three terms there (almost a year) and then went back to St Louis. I went to St Louis University a year, but could only take Chemistry if I was in the Nursing school. Women were not allowed in science - that was wrong! I then applied and got accepted to Purdue University and graduated in January, 1951 with a degree in Chemistry. Quite a tough career choice for a woman in the late 1940's, but the war changed the country and opened up opportunity. It reinforced in me the need to follow your dream and persevere no matter how hard.
After college I worked as chemist until I met and married my husband, Mahlon S. Hunt, on May 2, 1953. His Air Force Civil Service career started in St Louis, and our first son, Craig, was born in 1954. We moved to Washington DC and back to St Louis where our second son, Dennis, was born in 1959. We spent most of the 1960's in Framingham, Massachusetts where our last two sons were born, Robert (1962) and James (1963). Our boys were the greatest gift I could have received. I am so proud of each one of them and the love they showed to me my entire life. What a blessed mother I am. We had a fun adventure in Tucson, Arizona from 1968 to 1972 as Mahlon worked on the lunar laser project linked to Apollo 11, then back to Massachusetts until 1976 when he retired. I taught Children's Sunday School and was Cub Scouts Den Mother. As my boys grew, Boy Scouts and training leaders became a central focus of my volunteer role. I was proud to be awarded the Silver Fawn.
After Mahlon retired, we moved to Springfield, Missouri to be closer to my parents. I went back to work as a Chemist for a dog food company and finished my career. I also got the genealogy bug and learned so much while meeting relatives I didn't even know I had. Ultimately, we relocated to the Dallas area where I've lived since 2002.
Over all, my life has been a grand adventure, and a fulfilling journey. I am a 20 year oral cancer survivor, though now it looks like leukemia will run its course. The love of family is the most meaningful thing, and mine has been wonderful. Love God - Love Family - Love Others - Serve to the end!
The family will receive friends at a visitation on Sunday, February 1, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Allen Family Funeral Options. Betty will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Mahlon on Monday, February 2, 2015 at 9:15 AM at the Dallas Ft Worth National Cemetery.