Betty H. Coon, 71, of Pullman passed away December 17, 2014 at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane where she had been a patient since December 12th.

Betty was born February 16, 1943 in Peoria, Illinois, to Ray W. and Norma Fox Harlan. She grew up in Brimfield, Illinois, where she graduated from high school as class valedictorian and earned an Edmund J. James Scholarship to study at the Univ. of Illinois, Urbana. Upon graduation she began her career as an elementary school teacher in Urbana, 1965-1971, and then from 1973 to 2008 in Pullman, first at the former Edison School and, after it closed, at the old and new Franklin School.

She married David L. Coon August 25, 1962. Betty is survived by her husband of 52 years, daughter, Lara (David) Anderson of College Station, Texas, and two grandchildren, Morgan and Ryan. Other survivors include two sisters, Kay (Bob) Habil of Eddyville, Kentucky, and Janet Harlan of Scottsdale, Arizona; and brother Charles Harlan of Mobile, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Norvin.

Betty enjoyed the beauty of the Palouse, cooking, hand-sewing, quilting, collecting family heirlooms, and her plants and flowers. She was devoted to her family; she enjoyed chatting and keeping up with family and friends on the phone and especially looked forward to traveling frequently to visit them. Betty was a past president of the Pullman Education Association and a member of the Pullman Community Congregational United Church of Christ. Betty treasured her more than forty years of teaching hundreds of third- and fourth-grade children and the long-term friendships with both students and parents. Betty was a "ruby pearl" and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Cremation rites have been accorded. The family will have a memorial service in Illinois in summer 2015. Memorials in Betty's name may be made to the Pullman Education Foundation and to the Whitman County Humane Society. Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman is in charge of arrangements.