Betty Heath Luce, 86 of Towanda, KS, passed from this earth to her eternal home on July 28, 2024. Betty was born on December 31, 1937 to Leonard and Florence Heath in St. Charles, Illinois. Her mother passed away only 3 weeks after Betty was born, and her father passed away when Betty was a young child. She was later adopted by the Beckman family and eventually moved to New Mexico. Betty often expressed that she longed to meet her mother and be reunited with her father when she went to heaven.

Betty had 5 children. They lived in many places, including England and the Philippines while her husband at the time was in the military. Betty spent many years living in Wyoming and moved to Kansas in 1983.

After moving to Kansas, Betty met and fell in love with Charles "Chuck" Luce. She would often share the story that when she saw him for the first time she instantly felt a sense of peace. She knew God brought Chuck into her life and they were married on February 14, 1986. They shared 26 years together before he passed away in 2012.

Betty held many different jobs throughout her life, but most recently she worked in the cafeteria at Circle High School. She retired from there in 2010. She made it her goal to work there until her youngest grandson graduated high school because she loved being able to see her grandchildren at school each day.

Betty was an avid bingo player. She loved going to play bingo at the American Legion and Elks every week. She made many dear friends there.

Betty loved her family deeply. She was the proud mother of 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 5 great, great grandchildren. She proudly referred to herself as the matriarch of the family.

Betty is survived by daughter Jo Owens of Altoona, KS, son Mark Gray of Grover, WY, son Mitch (Cat) Gray of Eager, AZ, daughter Ja (Mark) Carson of El Dorado, KS, and son Mike Gray of Wyoming; grandchildren Melissa, Jody, Dana, Kristin, Michelle, Makayla, Cody, Kacee, Caleb, Jason, and Jeff; great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband Charles W. Luce, and grandson, Mitch Gray Jr.

A favorite verse of Betty's was Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint". The family is comforted by her faith in Jesus and looking forward to seeing her again in heaven.