MAYETTA – Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Fuqua, 95, of Mayetta, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born February 22, 1930 at St. Benedict, the daughter of John and Merwina Levings Martin.  She was the fourth oldest of nine children.  She graduated from Public High School in Seneca, and from Washburn University in Topeka.

She married Jack Fuqua on October 15, 1953 at Assumption Church in Topeka.  They were blessed with 68 ½ years of marriage.  He preceded her in death on April 19, 2022.

Betty was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta, and a member and Past President of the Altar Society at the church.

Betty taught at different schools for eight years, including schools at Silver Lake and Dwight, KS, and at Assumption Catholic School in Topeka.  She had also taught all eight grades in a one room school house.  She worked at Luce Press Clipping Bureau for 3 ½ years and operated a daycare from her home for fourteen years.

Betty was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Steve Fuqua, a daughter, Janie Teetzel, a great granddaughter, Abella Rose Teetzel, a son-in-law, who she loved as a son, Floyd Teetzel, and siblings, Charlotte Jones, Rosemary Passino, Jim Martin, twins Leo and Leroy Martin, Chuck Martin and Anne Whitesell.

Survivors include two sons, Van Fuqua and George Fuqua, both of Mayetta, four daughters, Debbie Albright (Steve), Mayetta, Mary DeVader (Doug), Holton,  Kim Fuqua (Lenny Riley), Mayetta and Michelle Auten, Topeka, a sister, Patricia Taylor, Wichita, twenty-three grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 Noon on Thursday, March 20th at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta.  Burial will follow in the Mayetta Cemetery.  Betty will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hoyt, where a Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m., followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m.  Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 280, Hoyt, KS  66440.