Betty Jacobi Becker

Betty’s children and friends often jokingly called her the Energizer Bunny because she was always on the go or working on something. She lived a very full and active 94 years before passing on June 16, 2026, in Sylva, NC.

Born on May 12, 1932, Betty was the daughter of Joseph and Eileen (Woodin) Jacobi. She grew up in St. Louis, MO. Her family spent many weekends and summers at the family clubhouse on the Bourbeuse River near Villa Ridge, MO. The tradition of family gathering at “the club” continues to this day, allowing several generations of Betty and her brother Jim’s families to remain close.

When asked what her profession was, Betty usually said she was a housewife and mother to Bill, Mary, & Jim. That was what was most important to her. But she also had a successful career as a real estate broker and contractor in Florida, even designing and building several of her own homes. She was an accomplished artist and spent her retirement creating beautiful watercolor and oil paintings and carving and painting gourds, which she sold at art & craft fairs.

Betty lived in Maryville, TN, until this year. She was active with several hiking groups and would take weekly hikes well into her 80s. She spent her time gardening and creating her artwork. Her wonderful neighbors, Chuck and Darla Snyder, Ronnie and Connie Hudgins, and Julie Condry helped watch over her in her later years, making it possible for her to stay in her home until she had to quit driving at 92.

Betty’s love for travel and adventure started when she was just 13 and took a bus from St. Louis, MO, to visit her favorite aunt in California. As an adult, she traveled extensively in her motorhome. She loved the Southwest, and her travels there inspired much of her artwork. She hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, explored Alaska, spent many summer vacations scalloping and fishing in Appalachicola, and instilled a love of travel in her children. She never passed up an opportunity to go somewhere.

Betty is preceded in death by her oldest son, Bill Foster and her brother, Jim Jacobi.

She is survived by her children, Mary Foster Morse and Jim Foster; grandchildren Eli (Abby) Foster, Evans (Elizabeth) Reed, and Chance Reed; great-grandchildren Meridith Foster and West Reed; nieces Patricia (Mark) Lamb, Marilyn (Mark) Bealafeld, and nephew Robert (Anita) Jacobi.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.