Elizabeth "Betty" Graf Church, 99, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021 at the Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte, Florida. Betty was a long- time resident of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

Born in Washington, D.C., she moved to Miami, Florida in 1949 with her late husband, Gordon. They lived in a tent with a small child while they built their first home, which included an outhouse and a hand water pump.

She was an active member in Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. She was Girl Scout Leader and Sunday School Teacher for many years, taking her daughter Karen and her friends on many camping trips.

Betty recalled one evening she and friends climbed down a bridge in Miami to shine flashlights into the water to attract pink shrimp that they then netted. This was something she could not believe she had done 50 years earlier.

Elizabeth and her beloved husband, Gordon, bought a lot in Port Saint Lucie, Florida on the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River. They eventually built a home on that lot and moved from Miami to Port Saint Lucie in 1993.

Betty said she and Gordon took a boat over to Key Biscayne, where lots were selling for $100 each. They decided not to buy as the only way to get to the key was by boat. Today the lot would be worth millions.

They loved to travel across the country using their Scotty Trailer, a present from their son Greg.

Betty and Gordon became active members in the Indian River Presbyterian Church in Fort Pierce, Florida, where she was a member for more than 23 years.  She was active in the Ladies Luncheons of the Church and was a Greeter at the Church in her younger years.  She loved her church and was proud to be a member there.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Gordon, and her loving Sister, Charlotte Snyder.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Karen Church of Punta Gorda, Florida, three sons; Brian Church and his wife, Marsha of Punta Gorda, Barry  Church and his wife, Phyllis of Bronson, Florida and Greg Church and his wife, Lynn of Gainesville, Georgia; grandchildren Shannon Pettus and her husband Rob of Sugar Hill, Georgia, Ryan Church and his wife Laura of Chelsea, Alabama, Wesley Church of Gainesville, Georgia, Chris Church of Port Charlotte, Florida, Melanie Brese and her husband Ron of Punta Gorda; great-grandchildren, Annabeth and Max Brese, Aubrey and Connor Pettus, Brandon, Hunter, and Allyson-Grace Church; and her favorite niece, Ruth Jackl of Jacksonville, Florida

A Memorial Service will be held at the Liberty Community Church, 2759 Wylam Drive, North Port, Florida  on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 am.

An Online Guestbook is available by visiting www.treasurecoast seawinds.com