Elizabeth Ruth "Betty" Stephens, age 96, of Washington, Iowa, died Thursday, July 7, 2016, at the United Presbyterian Home following a decline in health.

Celebration of life services will be held 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Ben Blanchard officiating. Interment will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County and the United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent for Betty's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Betty was born May 21, 1920, in Brighton, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence E. and Lyda M. (Fleak) White. She graduated from Brighton High School and attended the American Institute of Commerce in Davenport, Iowa. Betty was united in marriage to Alexander Harold Stephens on March 23, 1943, in Brighton, Iowa.

Betty worked as a secretary for the Public Health Department for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church where she was active in the United Methodist Women. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter J, and a former member of Fortnightly and the Y Wives.

She is survived by son, Thomas Stephens and wife Carol of Santa Fe, New Mexico; daughter, Lynn Sisler and husband Michael of Galena, Illinois; daughter, Leslie Paul and husband Craig of Washington, Iowa; five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in March of 2015; and her brother, Norman White.