Betty Jean Pipes (89) of Madera, CA passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family on June 12, 2015. Betty was born in Los Angeles, CA on May 18, 1926. Her childhood years were spent in Mountainair, New Mexico. Betty was the only child of Ernest Rudd and Era Saunders Rudd.
Her parents were in the restaurant business. As a child Betty spent many hours working in the family restaurant. Due to her tedious work schedule, Betty was unable to finish high school. While working in her family restaurant, Betty was charmed by one of the regular customers, Wayne Pipes. Wayne, a Texas Tech Alumni, was working as a fireman with the Santa Fe Railroad. They married in 1945 and soon after started a family.
Betty had a dream to earn a college degree. She was told that without a high school diploma, she could not go to college. After much determination and perseverance, Betty was allowed to enroll at Texas Tech. She was the first woman in the history of the university to be allowed acceptance without a high school diploma. Betty graduated with honors in 1953.
Betty began her distinguished career in education as a primary teacher in Lubbock Texas. She also taught in Santa Fe, New Mexico before moving to California. Betty taught briefly in Chowchilla before she took a position with the Madera Unified School District. She taught at Sierra Vista, Millview and Ripperdan Elementary Schools. While at Ripperdan School, Betty earned a Master’s Degree in Reading at Fresno State. As a Reading Specialist she supported staff and students by implementing successful strategies for struggling readers. Betty retired in 1991 after serving students for over 37 years. She then began a venture in real estate.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, daughter Era and son Patrick. She is survived by: Patrick's wife, Carolyn, and their children, Tina Horn (Larry), Wayne and Charlie; son John Pipes, his wife, Christine, their child, John Ernest, and his children, Nathalie (Sebastian), Lucas (Sarah) and Keenan; daughter Alexis Hix, her husband, Ray, and their children, Davis (Cassandra), Dayton, and Cambria; daughter Dana Lennemann, her husband, Michael, and their children, Brandon Gilles, Robert Gilles (Brittnee), Meagan and Chase; and Son Aaron Pipes, his wife Erica, and their children, Dustin and Hayley. In addition, Betty leaves behind 6 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Betty’s life is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at the Arbor Vitae Cemetery, under the direction of Jay Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Madera Rotary Foundation, Scholarship Fund-Betty Pipes
-----
PUBLISHERS NOTE:
Mrs. Pipes was my teacher for summer school at Madera High School. Before I met her I wasn't a big reader then she showed me I had many different interests and there were books that to fit all those interests. She made reading fun for me and not the chore that it had been. Today I love to pickup a book that I can't put down and just read.
The class she taught had many kids that weren't there for the right reasons and it upset me how many of them would treat Mrs. Pipes, but she was able handle each and every one of them in her own unique way. The last assignment of the summer was an essay and I wrote it for my teacher. It was on respect and that is what I had for this woman that only taught me for a short time.
My condolences go out to the Pipes family for your loss. Your mother and grandmother affected my life in just the couple months I had with her in that summer of 1979. I can only imagine the gifts she gave to each and every one of you every single day.
