Betty Rae Campbell, 93, of Portage, MI, passed away at her home, Bickford Assisted Living of Portage, MI, on December 19, 2022, due to complications of a stroke.

Cremation has taken place as per her request. Internment will take place at a later date in the Fort Custer Nation Cemetery.

Betty was born April 9, 1929, in Bridgeport, IL to Valpie Nolan “Bill” and Mary (Jacobs) Hale. Her family came to Michigan in 1935 where her father worked in the mid-Michigan oil fields. They later moved to Bloomingdale, Michigan where Betty graduated valedictorian, and was crowned as Miss Bloomingdale.

Betty was united in marriage to James T. Campbell, at St. Augustine Catholic Church on August 9, 1948, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Betty worked for the Shakespeare Company, where she met her husband, and then H.A. POWELL Studios, traveling Michigan selling high school senior pictures. She later worked many years in sales for Migala Carpets, until her retirement.

After the passing of her husband, Jim, in 1994, she moved to Okeechobee, FL to be near her sister, Martha Taylor. She met Gene Coulson who became the love her life for 20 years until his passing in November 2014. Betty and Gene lived between Allegan, Michigan, in the summer, and Okeechobee, Florida in the winter, and traveled the USA, until health issues required them to move into Bickford Assisted Living.

Survivors include Betty’s children, Drusilla E. Ferguson of Coldwater, MI, James T. Campbell (Carol) of Paw Paw, MI, Patrick D. Campbell (Patricia) of Richland, MI and Andrew M. Campbell (Carey) of Richland, MI. Grandchildren, Sean (Andrea) Ferguson of Grand Rapids, MI, Micheala Torres Camargo (Gerardo) of Coldwater, MI, Matt (Jenny) Campbell of Grand Rapids, MI, Michael Campbell of Oregon, OH, Douglas (Mary) Campbell of Ludington, MI, Molly Swank of Battle Creek, MI, James Campbell of Richland, MI, Sarah Campbell of Richland, MI and Gina (John) Hayes of Hinsdale, IL. Great-grandchildren, Luna, Leo and Celeste Torres Camargo, Everett and Vera Campbell, Rowan Campbell, Jaxon Swank, Charlie Campbell and John, McKenna, and Zach Hayes. A special niece, Tamara Taylor and nephew, George Hathaway Hehl; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Jim, Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mary Myers, Janet Hathaway and Martha Taylor; brothers, Billie Pat Hale and John Hale; sons in-law, Robert Ferguson and Gene Coulson and dear friend, Don Jackson.

Special thanks to the Gene Coulson family for all the love shared to our mother during her years with and after Gene’s passing.

Very special thanks to Betty’s Bickford Assisted Living family who cared for and loved QUEEN Betty for ten years; including but not limited to: Theresa, Sam, Brandi, Sue, Tracy, Sue, Barb, Roberta, the Popcorn Gang and husband, the Martini / gin and tonic social group, and so many others she so dearly loved. Anne and Kelly of Elara Caring Hospice were so kind and compassionate assisting the Bickford crew through Betty’s final travels. God bless you all.