Elizabeth Carr Cochran Kline (Betty) passed away peacefully in her sleep June 23, 2018 at Valley View Senior Center in Junction City, Kansas
Betty Carr was born June 20, 1937 in Washington, D.C. to Thomas Breckenridge and Eliza (Frasier) Cochran. She was reared in The Plains, Virginia and graduated from Handley High School in Winchester, Virginia in 1955. Betty continued her education at James Madison Universty. She graduated in 1959 and taught for two years in Virginia. In 1961 Betty headed west to California. There she earned a Master’s of Science from San Francisco State University while she taught two years in California. Ever the adventurer Betty chose to work for the Department of Defense as a DOD teacher in Germany. She traveled throughout Europe and even cruised the Nile. It was during this time she meet the love of her life, Captain Wordley Jay Kline. Captain Kline was transferred to Ft. Riley and Betty followed. They were married the day after she arrived March 30, 1967. Major Kline retired from the U.S. Army and he and Betty made Junction City their home.
Betty started her teaching career in USD 475 the next fall. She was assigned to Ft. Riley Elementary as a reading specialist. She was moved to central office and tasked with establishing the Instructional Material Center. By 1975 Betty was appointed Director of Elementary Education. She was charged with directing the development of the elementary curriculum, the selection of textbooks, overseeing the Head Start Program and managing the Title 1 program. Betty coordinated the school nurses and the elementary band program. Betty was very active professionally. She was a member of the United School Administration in Kansas, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development at both the state and national level, Phi Delta Kappa KSU Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Junction City Art Council and the Salvation Army Board. Betty retired from USD 475 in 1996. After she retired she served on the Board of The Geary Community Schools Foundation. She was an annual table sponsor at the Celebration of Teaching.
Bud and Betty enjoyed traveling and playing golf. They were active in the Junction City Country Club as well as many other social groups. Betty enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid reader of mysteries. Betty was a cat person. She loved her cats and spoiled them rotten. Because of her love, her cats lived very long lives. She is survived by her cat, Marty. Betty rescued Marty one afternoon when she was volunteering at St. Martin Gate Thrift Store. Marty was found in the donation box. Betty immediately took Marty to veterinarian who explain to the kitten that she was the luckiest cat in the world to have found Betty Kline.
Betty was a loyal and generous friend and co-worker. After Bud’s passing Betty continued her traveling with family and friends.
Betty is survived by her sister, Ann Powell Cooper of Virginia as well as nephews and many cousins including her god child, Emily Asby and her namesake, Sarah Elizabeth Asby of Raleigh, North Carolina.. Betty is also survived by many close friends especially Susanne Holloway. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bud, as well as her parents.

Betty was a devote member of the Episcopal faith her whole life. She was a member of Episcopal Church of the Covenant. Her service will be Friday, June 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Covenant. Interment will follow. Betty will be laid to rest the Fort Riley Post Cemetery with her husband.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Covenant, The Geary Community Schools Foundation, or the Friends of the Animals. These may be sent to the Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 203 N. Washington, Junction City, KS 66441.