Since so few in this area know my life story, I will put some of it in writing. I was born on May 15, 1925 to Roy and Bessie Lumley, of Picton, Ontario. I am the second of four children. I have happy memories of my childhood on a farm in Eastern Ontario. How I enjoyed picking our apple and tomato crops and helping with other chores. Maple syrup season was special, as was Christmas when our house was filled with evergreen boughs and a huge tree. We were a rather religious family and seldom missed church. I was fourteen years old when the Allen Wallaces from the Faith Mission in Toronto held special meetings in our rural United Church. We attended each evening, and it was there that God spoke to my heart and I realized I was a lost sinner needing the Saviour. The Lord Jesus had died for such as me. The last night I stayed behind and prayed for Jesus to come into my heart, and He did; for He promised “He that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out.” That winter as I walked two miles to our Country School by Lake Ontario, I would sing “wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” and I knew it was so. The years passed quickly and while I was living in Victoria, BC I felt a strong desire to study God’s Word. Two of my Ontario friends were attending Prairie Bible School, so I wished to go there too. But, alas, I had no address to write to. Then one day on a shelf in the public library I saw the wee booklet “Hoping for Nothing” which was the story of L.E. Maxwell and on the back of the booklet was the address I needed. In due time I was accepted by Prairie and with the needed $250.00 in my purse for schooling and a meagre wardrobe I headed for Alberta. What a joy to be with Christians studying God’s Word. It was during my first year that Stan Collie of the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission visited the school and spoke about the need of the Indian people. I felt a tug on my heart that maybe this was where God wanted me. Later as I reached graduation the desire intensified. I applied to NCEM and was accepted to be matron of boys in the Mission children’s home. Later I moved on to field ministry in several areas. Then at age sixty-five I retired to Three Hills. My love for the native people has not diminished. I’ve been able to visit Deschambault Lake, SK 22 times, the Pas MB twice as well as Moose Factory, ON. My burden is that people may still hear and heed God’s call to go to our needy Northern Neighbours. I moved to Three Hills in 1990 and feel very blessed. Thank you for your fellowship and for being so caring during my illness with cancer. To my family (if any are present) I’d say, “Get ready for Heaven, Dear Ones. I want to see you there.” To my Christian friends and acquaintances, I’d say, “Live each day for Jesus”. I regret that sometimes lesser things took priority with me. But I do know I am His and He is mine for eternity. God be with you till we meet again. Lovingly, Betty Lumley
Betty was predeceased by: parents Roy and Bessie (Storms) Lumley; sister Shirley Ree of Calgary, AB; brother George (Ann) of Brighton, ON; and sister Carolyne (George) Jones of Picton, ON. Betty is survived by: nephews Dave (Sandy) Furrie and family, Gary (Jose’) Furrie and family, George Lumley Jr. and partner; nieces Lynn Lumley and partner, Pati (Brian) Parton and family, Lori Deeton and family, Janet Jones; and cousin Nelson (Velma) Storms. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Three Hills Long Term Care for their compassionate care of Betty. Services will be held Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 1:00pm at the Prairie Tabernacle, Three Hills, AB. Betty will be laid to rest at the Linden Cemetery. For more information please visit www.sunsetltd.ca
