Betty Joyce Richardson Bauerle

Betty Joyce Richardson Bauerle, 78 years old of Springfield, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, November 10, 2017, under the care of Louisiana Hospice.  She was born on Sunday, October 29, 1939 in Springfield, Louisiana where she grew up picking strawberries on her family's small farm.

Betty was married for sixty years to the love of her life, Edward Bauerle.  She graduated valedictorian of her 1957 high school class and was voted most popular and most likely to succeed.   She would continue to be popular among her family and friends throughout her life.  She succeeded in life, living it to the fullest.  She had various jobs while raising her children.  Her last job was as a teachers' aide for the Livingston Parish School System, where she worked with special needs classes for ten years.

She had many talents.  She could play the guitar, sew, crochet, and knit.  She also enjoyed gardening and was a talented artist.  She played the piano for her church, Blood River Church of God, throughout her life and painted a large mural of mountains and a river that hangs behind the church baptistery.  In her early years, she coached a baseball team and was involved in a garden group, church group, pokeno group and an art group.  She loved to travel with her husband, having tea with her four sisters, Irene Kennedy, Ophelia Fray, Bea Simon, and Lorraine Lard, and spending time with her family and friends, especially her best friend of forty years, Jean Guidry.  She was a bright light in this world and will be greatly missed.

Betty is survived by her son, Ronnie and his wife, Dee Bauerle; daughter, Cindy and her husband, Andy Bucher; daughter, Joanie and her husband, Bill Brock; Seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, four sisters, and her brother, Doug Richardson.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty years, Edward Hewitt Bauerle, Jr.; and by her parents, Melvin and Mary Bazile Richardson.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Bauerle, Austin Bucher, Ethan Brock, Nolan Brock, Shane Germany, and Sayge Johnson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia St., Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454, on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 11:00 am.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 am and continue until the service time of 11:00 am.

Interment will follow in Carter Cemetery, Springfield, Louisiana.

Donations may be made to the Blood River Church - Building Fund, 23595 Blood River Road, Springfield, Louisiana 70462, in memory of Betty R. Bauerle.

To view and sign the family guest book, please visit www.harrymckneely.com.