Betty Jean Porter Pendleton, 93, passed peacefully from this life on June 29, 2024. She was passionate
in her testimony of Jesus Christ and her love and devotion to her family.
Betty was born on January 20, 1931, in Smoot, Wyoming, to Wilford Austin Porter and Alice Elnora
Johnson. She spent her life in Star Valley and graduated from Star Valley High School, where she met
her eternal companion, Leo Calvin Pendleton. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September
21, 1949. They spent the next 67 years together dedicating their lives to building a faithful family with
values of service, hard work, and love.
Betty had a lifelong love of learning. From an early age, her teachers recognized her desire to learn and
her bright mind. The school skipped Betty to the next grade level. After graduating from high school,
Betty attended BYU on an academic scholarship. Her education was interrupted by marriage and raising
a family. After many years, Betty resumed her formal education by returning to BYU. She studied from
home and on the BYU Provo campus, and received her Bachelor's Degree.
Ever the teacher, Betty was always ready to share a poem. She would often recite from memory her
favorite poems and scriptures, which taught important principles and life lessons. She was a remarkable
storyteller, and would share memorable life experiences with enthusiasm and love.
Betty had a deep and abiding love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and was a stalwart member of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her unwavering testimony strengthened her family, friends,
and all who crossed her path. Betty and Leo served three full-time missions together in Nigeria, Nauvoo,
and Salt Lake Temple Square. Betty and Leo drove from Star Valley to serve in the Idaho Falls temple
every week for more than 20 years. Her life of service and love will serve as a lasting legacy for her
family.
Her service in the church included teacher, chorister, Stake Primary President, Ward Primary President,
Ward Young Women's President, Ward Relief Society President and many other callings to serve.
Betty and Leo loved their mountain home, family and friends in Thayne. They treasured their lifelong
friends in Star Valley. During the winter months, Leo and Betty traveled to St. George, Utah to enjoy the
warmer climate and returned to Star Valley in the spring. Later in life, Betty relocated to St. George.
She appreciated her friendships in St. George and spoke often about the wonderful people that helped
her along the way. Her life was defined by service to others. She continued this service in St. George.
Betty knew what was most important in this life, and she never let go of that focus. Betty is an example
of how to live a life.
Betty is survived by her six children and their spouses; Lana (Randy) Hillstead, David Leo (Teri)
Pendleton, Val D. (Shelley) Pendleton, Ann (Michael) Alletto, Becky (Robert) Allen, Linda (Dewayne)
Smith; and 27 grandchildren; and 70 great-grandchildren and her sister, Florence Seegmiller.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo, her parents, Wilford Austin Porter and Alice Elnora
Johnson, and her siblings Max, Melvin, Eva, Della Mae, Louise, and Lynn, four grandchildren and two
great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held on July 8, 2024, at the Thayne LDS Chapel, 276 Dana Street Thayne, Wyo, at 10
am. Betty's Celebration of Life will then be held at noon, and the interment will follow at the Thayne
Cemetery.