On the morning of June 10, 2011, a classy lady met with God with her children Wilbur and Shawn by her side. Bette Jean (Scott) Reid talked with him daily throughout her life, as prayer and the Bible were essential to her.
Bette Jean Scott was born on June 19, 1940 in Wolf Point to Russell Fallgatter Scott and Rachel Marie (Nelson) Scott. She was raised on the Scott Ranch south of Oswego. She attended elementary school through 8th grade in Frazer and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1958. She continued her studies at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and graduated with a teaching degree from the University of Montana, Missoula.
Bette wed James Bernard Reid on November 29, 1968 in Poplar, MT. They were quite the stunning couple, as many comments have been made through the years about the “beautiful” school teacher who met the “tough” cowboy. James and Bette celebrated 41 years of marriage. James greeted her in heaven as he met the Lord on April 8, 2010.
Mom shared her talents by teaching English, business and keyboarding for 27 years. Many of her students said she was “tough” and she was very proud of that. She always wanted them to be able to do well in life. Teaching was her chosen occupation, but her true calling was that of mother and grandmother. She was “Grandma” and “Grammy B” to nine grandkids who enjoyed many chocolate chip cookies, ice cream cones, and life lessons with “B”. Always a teacher, she enjoyed helping teach Sunday School at St. John’s. Mom was a voracious reader and special interests included her kids, grandkids, gardening, art and Glenn Beck.
Mom was always a gracious hostess and anyone who arrived at the Reid house knew how true that was as she took care of all who came with a cup of coffee and a hot meal. Her peach pies will certainly be missed at the Reid brandings.
Bette is survived by: son, Wilbur (Erica), Poplar, MT; daughter Shawn (Kevin) Kenelty, Poplar; sister, Thale (Don) Arthun, Absarokee, MT; two brothers, Fred (Pam) Scott and Tom Scott, both of Billings, MT; sisters-in-laws, Janet Reid, Brooks, Alberta, Canada, Marcia (Gerry) O’Brien, Longmont, CO, Karen (Reid) Miller, Great Falls, MT, Cherry Dougherty, Seattle, Washington, and Judy Reid, Sidney, MT; nine grandchildren, Kate, Garrett, Lindsay, Dylan, CeCe, Jack and Evyn Reid, Poplar, MT, and Brooklyn and James Kenelty, Poplar, MT; and twenty four nieces and nephews.
Bette was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents Russell and Rachel; parents-in-law, Thomas and Lauretta Reid; brothers-in-law Wallace and Rick Reid and James Dougherty.
A Vigil Service will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 16 also at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Francis Schreiber as celebrant and Pastor Cal Oraw as co-officiant. Interment will follow at Poplar City Cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point and Poplar has been entrusted with the arrangements.