Betty June Spivey Bump Rounce
Betty June Spivey Bump Rounce, beloved
sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother left us to join
loved ones and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 25th,
2009. After a heroic fight with leukemia, the fourth battle
she fought against three different forms of cancer, she passed
peacefully in her own home in Billings, MT surrounded by her family
and lifted up in their love along with the love of dozens of friends
and other relatives.
Betty June was born in Baird, TX on March
12, 1929, the third of eight children born to Ruby Lee and Claude
Lee Spivey. She was raised in Lawton, OK, graduated from
Lawton High School, and attended Cameron Junior College. Betty
June married Edward Robert “Bob” Bump in the First Methodist Church
of Lawton in June of 1948. They made their home in Bozeman,
Glendive, Sidney, and Billings, MT. Betty and Bob’s marriage
was truly a “story-book romance,” and to their union was born four
daughters and two sons – Robert Michael, Marteann, Cynthia June,
William Edward, Becky Sue, and Melissa Lee. Betty made a
career of being a wife and mother and found great joy in raising an
enormous vegetable garden, canning produce, baking all the family’s
bread, sewing and embroidering, and lovingly tending the “best yard
in the neighborhood” where all children were welcomed to congregate
and play. She was a tireless worker for the United Methodist
church, a lifelong Bible scholar, and a “professional do-gooder” – a
label jokingly given to her by her children, but one that accurately
describes the many, many hours Betty spent visiting with, and
raising the spirits of, nursing home residents and shut-ins as she
made her rounds with fresh baked bread and flowers from her gardens.
Betty overcame a number of tragedies in her
life with Bob, surviving colon cancer, as well as losing her father,
father-in-law, a sister, and her baby daughter Cynthia June before
Bob passed away at the young age of 47, followed only three months
later by the loss of Melissa Lee at five years of age. Betty
June’s strength and sheer force of will carried her through these
losses and in August of 1977 she married William Edward “Bill”
Rounce. They made their home in Sidney and enjoyed many years
of travel together, visiting every state in the Union as well as
more than thirty foreign countries. Again and again Betty
faced down tragedy and loss as she battled leukemia and breast
cancer, losing both of her mothers-in-law, her stepson Ron Rounce,
another sister, a brother, her mother, her husband Bill, and her
grandson Edward Andrew Bump. Betty’s indomitable spirit was an
inspiration to all who knew her, and all her knew her loved her
dearly.
Betty’s children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren were her greatest source of pride. She
kept every card, letter, sports or performance program, and
newspaper article that even mentioned any of their names. The framed
photos and years of gifts and family keepsakes were all displayed as
lovingly and carefully as any museum piece. She leaves behind
to love and remember her, her children, Robert Bump, Marteann (John)
Bertrand, Bill (Tammy) Bump, Col. Becky S. Upton U.S.A.R.; step
children, Jeff (Jill) Rounce, Scott (Arlene) Rounce, Wendy Rounce;
step-daughter-in-law Helen Rounce; and her beloved youngest sister
Alene Nangle, known within the family as “Meanie,” who selflessly,
lovingly, and tirelessly set her own life aside for months at a time
to nurse Betty June back to health through every battle of the past
four years. Also loving and mourning Gramma Betty are her
grandchildren, Bill (Nicole) Bump, Christopher (Amber) Bertrand,
Alex Bump, Robert Bertrand, Kristin (Brian) Fuller, Kevin (Nicole)
Rounce, Cameron (Lindsey) Rounce, Stephanie Rounce, and Lt. Amber
Rounce U.S.A.F.; great-grandchildren Jacob Bertrand, Isabelle Bump,
Luke Fuller, Billy Bump, Cole Fuller, Isla Grace Bertrand, Elliot
Rounce, and Serenity Bump; as well as Meanie’s children and
grandchildren who were as special to Betty as her own, Larry
(Jeannie) Nangle, Anise (Tamer) Rask; Coree Jean Nangle, Conrad
Nangle, Travis (Emily) Rask, Tyler Rask, and Taylor Rask.
A visitation and time for sharing of love and remembrance will take place Friday, August 28th, 7:00 p.m. at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave, Billings, MT. The Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 29th at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 1810 Shiloh Road, Billings, MT. Private family interment will follow at a later time in Mountview Cemetery where Betty’s ashes will be laid to rest with her children’s father, E.R. Bob Bump. Memorials may be sent to Intermountain Children’s Home (500 South Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601), or a charity of your choice. The family would like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to our R.N., Ramona, along with the aides from Rocky Mountain Hospice; as well as to the aides from Rocky Mountain Home Care for their dedicated care and commitment. Our Mother’s last weeks were made as easy and comfortable as they could possibly be, and our own needs as a family were attended to with an equal measure of concern. We will also be forever grateful to Betty’s (and all of our own) friends, neighbors, pastor, and church family for their weeks of prayers, visits, flowers, food, and love.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Dear Spivey Bump Rounce Families,
I am sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this trying time.
I remember her smile and warmth she showed everybody – she will be missed her on earth but a great welcome to the heavenly body of angels.
John Upton
Yours truly,
John Upton
A Great Aunt and Exceptional Friend.
You all are in our prayers, may the Peace that passes ALL understanding envelope each and every one of you at this time.
Love you all,
Gary & Melody
Seigler
Joel Sisk
Amber & Michael DeWinter