Obituary of Betty May Dever

A crypt-side service will take place Friday, March 22 for Betty May Dever, a resident of Elk Grove for 61 years who died March 14, 2013 at the age of 83. Many will remember her as the Administrator of the Elk Grove Convalescent Hospital (now Windsor Care & Rehabilitation) where she worked for over 20 years. She then continued working for Wayne Bartholemew and Associates until her retirement in 2009 at the age of 80. Prior to that, she worked part-time at the E.G. Food Market, and then for The Bradley Hop Ranch, as the bookkeeper. Mrs. Dever was born in Sacramento, CA to James and Ethel Cull. She graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School in 1947 and Sacramento City College in 1949. On October 23, 1949 she married Ralph G. Dever. They made their first home at the Cantrell Costello Dairy, located off of Hwy 99 on Dillard Road. They purchased a home with 5 acres in Elk Grove in 1951, where they raised their 5 children. They later named the farm, Honey Bee Arabians, because of the bee honey and the Arabian horses they raised. She and Ralph were involved in a variety of activities which included: Rhythm Reelers Square Dance group. Mrs Dever was involved with the Elk Grove Western Festival for several years, heading up the horse section for the parade, and as Treasurer. She and her husband were also involved with horse-related groups, such as Herald Riders Horse Group and Arabian Horse Association. Mrs Dever worked as a Timer for many years on the Tevis 100-Mile Endurance rides and when Ralph rode his Arabian horses on the Natrac Endurance rides. She held the office of Treasurer of many of these groups. An Elk Grove street, Dever Circle, was named in recognition of the work Mrs Dever and her husband did on the Elk Grove Western Festival as well as being one of the early citizens in the City. She was also an avid reader and stamp collector. Mrs Dever is survived by her husband, Ralph G. Dever, of 63 years, sons: Steve and wife. Susan of Hillsboro, OR; Paul and wife Ruth of Kemmerer, WY; daughters: Sue Bernard of Elk Grove, and Mary Tucker and husband Bill of Elk Grove, 13 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by son, Mark, and daughter-in-law Kathy Dever, son-in-law Ron Bernard, and her sister June Ellis. There will be a viewing on Thursday, March 22 2013, 4pm - 8pm at Sacramento Memorial Lawn located at 6100 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento. The crypt-side service on Friday, March 23 begins at 10am at Sacramento Memorial Lawn. Remembrances may be of your own choice. Her passions were to help fight cancer, diabetes and blindness.