Faye L. Filby

Faye L. "Betty" Filby, 86, of Topeka, passed away Friday, June 1, 2007. Betty was born on December 15, 1920 in Milford, KS, the daughter of Wesley A. and Maye B. (Kidd) Ellzey. She graduated from Milford High in 1938 as the class valedictorian.

Betty was united in marriage to Earl O. Filby on March 29, 1948 in Junction City, KS. They were happily married for 49 years. He preceded her in death in 1997.

She was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church and was an avid square dancer of the Swinging Squares for many years. She and Earl enjoyed traveling and camping and were members of the Holiday Ramblers Camping Club. Betty and Earl were foster parents for thirty children over the years.

She is survived by her children, Chiquita "Chic" Lintner, Ruth Hodges, and Edmond "Pete" Filby, all of Topeka, and Henry "Hank" Filby of Reno, NV; sixteen grandchildren, 31 great and great-great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters, Sally Fritschen of Tonganoxie, KS, Carrol Ellzey of Waynesville, MO, Richard Shilts of Belle Plain, KS, and Gary Shilts of Sioux St. Marie, MI, and her dog and companion, Lily Faye.

Also preceding her in death, her infant daughter, Judith Loraine, her parents, and one brother, Pete Shilts.

Funeral services for Betty will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. She will lie in state after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home where the family will greet friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.