Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Sharley passed away at her home with her family by her side on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Born on December 11, 1941 a daughter of the late John and Isabel Baxter of Masury, Ohio, Betsy was number seven in the line of 12 children born to John and Isabel.
Betsy was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, Joseph and Anna Sharley; her siblings, Isabel Jane, Agnes, William “Bud”, Robert, Margaret “Peg”, Silas, John, and Thomas; and her brother-in-law, Joseph Sharley.
Betsy is survived by her husband and love of her life, James “Jim” Sharley and their children; Michael Sharley of Morgantown, WV and Susan (Steve) Satterfield of Boardman, Ohio; grandchildren, Caleb and Sadie Satterfield, of Boardman, Ohio; siblings, Lovie Swogger, James Baxter, and Sara “Sally” Baxter; her sister-in-law, Kathy Sharley Gladysz; and a whole host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Betsy graduated from Brookfield High School in 1959. She attended Youngstown Business College before starting a job with First National Bank in Sharon, PA.
On November 6, 1965, Betsy and Jim were married in Masury, Ohio and moved to Michigan to begin their life together. They moved from Allegan, MI to Bryan, OH where they started their family. In 1974, Jim’s job relocated them to Morgantown, WV, where they raised their family.
Betsy worked for WVU at the Creative Arts Center before getting a job at Montgomery Wards where she worked for many years. After leaving Wards, Betsy started working at WVU in the School of Physical Education where she eventually retired. Betsy loved her time at WVU and always enjoyed interacting with the students and being their “college mom”. In addition to her paid jobs, Betsy was the first secretary for St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church. She spent many years writing the newsletters and doing office work.
At home, Betsy worked hard helping raise Michael and Susan. She was always their biggest advocate and encouraged them to work hard and never give up. She was the perfect model of a parent that did everything she could to give her children a good life, but to never forget where they came from. She always made sure they understood that everyone deserved respect and the opportunity to achieve their goals.
As proud as Betsy was of her children, Michael and Susan, she simply beamed with pride for her grandchildren, Caleb and Sadie. Those two never did anything wrong in her eyes and she savored every moment she had to brag about them.
Betsy loved to travel and proudly told stories of her adventures to 27 different countries and 38 US states. One of her most special vacations was to her ancestral homeland of Scotland. Followed closely by the trip to Jim’s ancestral homeland of Hungary. Betsy was also very interested in the Amish and in recent years learned that her grandmother was actually part of the Amish Community at one time.
In respecting her wishes, Betsy will be cremated. The family will accept visitors at St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church in Morgantown, WV on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 10 until the 11:30 a.m. memorial service with Father Michael Delk officiating. The service will be followed by a luncheon at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church Building Fund, 75 Old Cheat Rd., Morgantown, WV 26508.
McCulla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McCulla.com
