Betty Elnora McFarren Beyer, 82, was born June 6, 1942 in San Antonio, Texas. She passed from this life into eternal salvation on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, after battling cancer. Betty was born to Frederick W. McFarren and Elnora Larson McFarren, who proceeded her in death, as did her loving grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar E. Larson and Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. McFarren.
She loved to learn, excelled in education, and spent her life teaching and caring for others. She graduated as salutatorian from Cleburne High School in 1960. She went on to earn a degree in English and mathematics at the Texas Tech University with honors. She was president of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. After marrying Elmo M. Beyer, Jr. on August 22, 1964, she taught for a year and then earned a Masters degree in English at Texas A&M University. The family moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1969 when Elmo joined the DuPont Company. That same year their son Brian was born, and their daughter Beth was born in 1971. In Wilmington, she continued to teach and impact children’s lives as a teacher with the Red Clay Consolidated School District.
Betty was dedicated to her family and friends. She loved to volunteer and spent hours working with the PTA, as a Cub Scout den leader, at Winterthur, the Hagley Museum, and the Junior Board at the Wilmington Hospital. She was also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church (currently Unity Church) and served as a Sunday School teacher and the church’s financial secretary for over thirty-five years. She loved to work in her rock garden, embroidery, and sew. She was an avid reader, loved to travel to new places, and spent time learning about her family’s Norwegian heritage. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, who enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, Penn State events and graduations, and visiting their colleges. She especially loved spending time with her family at Rehoboth Beach, boating, watching fireworks on the Fourth of July, visiting Funland, and being on the boardwalk. She adored each of her grandchildren and always encouraged them to do their very best academically.
Betty is survived by her husband, Elmo M. Beyer, Jr. of Wilmington, Delaware; her son, Brian Beyer of Delaware City, Delaware; her daughter, Beth and husband Frank Shelby of Fairfax, Virginia; and her five grandchildren, Emily, John, and Quinn Beyer, and Shawn and Scott Shelby. She is also survived by her brother, Lt. Gen. Freddy McFarren (USA Ret.) and wife Aubrey McFarren of San Antonio, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home,3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, Delaware 19803 on June 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unity Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Betty (Bebe) was deeply loved by her family and all who really knew her. She will be missed and constantly remembered with the love and understanding that she is now in a better place with God.
