Betty Jean Larson,72, of Front Royal, Virginia was taken into glory on August 23, 2025 at her home.
She was born on April 1, 1953 in Washington DC to the late William and Mary Herbert Houck. Growing up in Silver Spring and Rockville, Maryland, she graduated from Richard Montgomery high school in Rockville in 1971 and attended the Kings College in Briarcliff Manor, NY, as a music major. She was married to Stephen Larson on June 22, 1974 in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Betty Jean and Steve were married 51 years and lived in Maryland, Illinois, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia. She homeschooled their son from 3rd grade through high school graduation. While in Illinois she opened and managed a storefront business called The Craft Cottage. Prior to retirement in June of 2023, she had a successful career as a human resources executive. While pursuing her career she received Bachelor & Masters degrees in management from what is now the University of Arizona Global Campus.
Betty Jean loved music, especially church music. She served as pianist and either sang in or directed choirs in several churches. She also sang in community choirs in Maryland. Her passion for music was well known by her friends and family and we are confident that she is now singing praises to God as a member of the Heavenly choir.
She is survived by her husband Steve of Front Royal; son Derek, daughter-in-law Sarah, grandson Gideon and granddaughter Elizabeth, all of San Diego, CA, sister Ruth Ann of Fredericksburg, VA and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19856 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, Virginia 20175. A private Interment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.
Sending our love and prayer to Steve. Betty Jean was kind and generous to me during my summer in D.C. many years ago. Pat and I know you are grieving and we understand grief as a lifelong companion. We are here snd hope to host you when you are ready to travel to Massachusetts. Sending our love, thoughts, prayers.
Thank you Barbara. I appreciate you and Pat, your care and concern. You have been good friends for a long time and I would love to visit you guys!
So sorry for your loss, Steve. Praying for you and your sweet family. I am blessed to have known Betty Jean and enjoyed her music and humor. So grateful to share her love of Christ, and know I will see her again.
Thank you for your comments Angela. I think you hit the nail on the head with music and humor. Lots of folks will remember her the same way. We will indeed see her again, and though I miss her terribly I’m comforted in knowing she’s whole again and blissfully happy in heaven where Christ is.
Steve,
Corbin and I are thinking of you and your family. We are sorry for your loss. Knowing you and Betty Jean is a blessing in our lives and we are thankful God had our paths cross. Know we are praying for you and your family.
Much love,
Genie
Thank you Genie, it’s very kind of you to comment and your prayers are much appreciated. We enjoyed some good times with you, Corbin and your family and it is a blessing to know that our fellowship will endure beyond this life.
Steve,
Praying that the peace of our Lord who has poured out love into our hearts by His Spirit reduces the pain of loss, but not the memory over time. What a joy to have worshipped with y’all at Good Shepherd, and praise the Lord for y’alls resolve to see that Mission Work carried through both of your labors. My memories of Betty Jean will always be warm and fond; for her love of the Lord, music, and desire to see the Lord build up his church through loving caring acts of His people.
She will be missed, you will be prayed for.
Always and warmly in Christ,
James Schwacofer and Family
I appreciate your comments James and it was a blessing for us to labor together with you in building the church in the Houston area. Betty Jean loved the church dearly and loved using her God-given talents to build up the body of Christ. Thank you for your prayers.
Steve,
I just heard about Betty Jeans passing. I am so sorry and I will be praying for you and your family. I loved your wife so much…whether we were in the office, traveling during Covid, or trying to hire staff for a new hotel – she and I always had a good time. We could be talking about work, church, family, or whatever else came to mind and she was always so honest, caring, humble, and oh so funny! She holds a special place in my heart and I will forever think of her on April Fools Day <3
Thank you for your note Jordan. I know that Betty Jean enjoyed working with you and highly valued your friendship. She drew people to her naturally and they felt safe with her. You’ve described her essential character very well and I can’t tell you how much I miss her. There’s a hole in my life that she filled.
Steve, I was so thankful to know Betty Jean, and for the positive influence she was for me. Whether personally (music) or professionally (HR), she always found a way to encourage and support me. I’m going to miss her, and will be praying for you and the family.
Thank you so much Justin. I really appreciate your note & of course your prayers. I’m learning that she had a positive impact on a lot of people & it doesn’t surprise me. I miss her more than I can even express.
If I could say anything to Betty Jean it would be this.
“Betty Jean, I love you more than ever, and I miss you so much it hurts. I’m lost without you and at times I don’t see how I can go on living without you. The sense of emptiness and profound loss is intense.
It has been a month since the Lord took you home to be with him in heaven. In my deep sorrow there is also joy – joy that you are in the arms of Jesus, and able to see our savior face to face, free of the burdens and afflictions of this life. I would love to know what it’s like in heaven, but I probably couldn’t bear it, or I wouldn’t be able to comprehend it.
I long for the day that I will see you again and we’ll be together through all eternity. What a joy it is to have this assurance and blessed hope! Until then, I will never stop missing you and loving you in this life, and I treasure every memory of our 51 years of marriage and life together on this side of heaven.
With unrestrained tears, I bid you good-bye my love, until we meet again!”