Betty Farris

Betty Farris passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 30, 2016 after a courageous victory over cancer. Every step of her journey with colon cancer was met with determination and strength. After processing this diagnosis, just months after a reported clear colonoscopy, she chose to turn her emotions into a positive force and do as she has always done - whatever was needed to be there for her family.

Betty was born in Canton, Ill. to Lester and Edith Ford Slater on July 17, 1937. She always had a smile for her classmates and enjoyed school. At home, she helped care for many of her siblings. She also liked helping her father, who she said was a very caring man with beautiful blue eyes. At the time of her passing she was very much looking forward to seeing him again.

On November 19, 1955 she married Kenneth L. Farris. A devoted and loving husband, Kenneth survives his wife. He lovingly cared for her during her illness, taking on the role as her caregiver in every way and most importantly always kissing her goodnight and telling her he loved her. As newlyweds, they moved to Highland Park, Ill. and worked hard to make a living. Betty would often walk in inclement weather to her managerial job at Sears & Roebuck. After a few years, they felt the desire to move back to Canton and grow their family.

They have two sons. Kent (Trini) Farris of Naperville, Ill. will meet his mother at the pearly gates. He passed away tragically in November of 2015. Kraig (Shizel) Farris survives his mother and resides in Woodbridge, Va. and the Country of Panama.
Betty and Kenneth also have twin daughters. Karen (Dr. Brad) Cotton of Peoria, Ill. and Krista (Greg) Wroblewski. They survive, as do three grand daughters Tara and Colleen Farris and Andrianna Wroblewski. A great granddaughter Kaydence Farris also survives. Two angel grandchildren will meet their grandmother in heaven.

She is survived by one sister, Sandra (John) Evans of Joliet, Ill.and one brother, Jerry (Beebe) Slater of Scotsboro, Or. She is also survived by many nieces, great-nieces, nephews and great-nephews. Her sisters Merlina, Beverly, and Sally as well as brothers Melvin and Bob precede her in death.

At a young age, Betty showed a powerful work ethic and ingenuity. Betty never shied away from work, often working nights to help her hard working husband provide for their family and pay for piano, band, swim team and other activities she championed for her children. Even during hard times, their children never went without, thanks to her hours of coupon cutting. In addition to bargain hunting, She also instilled the value of education in her children, wanting them to achieve success. And, she was a good friend, enjoying visits to her soul sister, Alzinna Munson's home in London Mills, Ill. and with her best friend Jane Walter of Canton, who never wavered in her friendship to Betty. Jane survives Betty as does Betty's long-time and good friends Sue Freeman and Pat LaSalle.

Betty also enjoyed hosting Christmas teas and bargain hunting at yard sales, as well as visiting her many friends around town as she ran her weekly errands. Betty didn't know a stranger and while not mentioned by name, there are many at the library, bank, grocery store etc. grieving her passing as she always had a smile and time to visit.

Betty's soul is always with us. Her body will be cremated at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. She has requested no services. The family is respecting her wishes. She was supportive of her family planting a tree in her memory at Wallace Park, where Betty took her children to play. Betty's husband has made a specific request that there be no visitors during this time. Please respect these wishes.