Elizabeth Frances Yarber, known lovingly by all as Betty, passed away on June 6, 2026 peacefully of natural causes at her son’s home in Rancho Cordova, California. Betty was born in Sydney Australia January 29, 1927 and lived a remarkable life that spanned a century and two continents, touching countless hearts along the way. She was the sixth child of William Frederick Richards (1893-1960) and Elsie May Davis (1892-1974) who raised her in Australia and gave her the foundation of warmth and resilience that defined her character throughout her life. Betty spent her early years growing up in a home on the banks of the Lane Cover River. One of her most cherished and vivid memories of this time in her life was of her Grandfather, Ruben Richards. She often told of how he told her ghost stories and stories about old times in Australia. She often told of how he had built a boat which he named the Caroline after his departed wife. It was large enough to carry passengers up and down the river and it had a piano on it. She said she and other passengers would stand around the piano and sing song after song. This was so much in character for Betty as she loved to sing. Betty then moved to Botany Bay, and when she became old enough, she worked at Johnson and Johnson. At age 16 she was watching a parade at the Luna Park amusement park and an American sailor asked her if he could help her to see the parade from a better vantage point. She politely declined his offer, but did give him her work phone number. Well, one thing led to another and Betty and that American Sailor had a great time going to the horse races at Royal Randwick Race Course and the movies at the State Theatre on Market St. and swimming at Manley and Bondi beaches. In 1944, Betty and Lando Dail Yarber, a Second Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, were married. In 1946 Betty and Lando moved to the United States and took up farming in Idaho and in 1952 moved to Sacramento, California. Where Lando Became a Master Carpenter and help build many of the homes in the Rancho Cordova area and many structures in the Greater Sacramento area. Betty began working as a Hostess and Cashier in the former Mills Winery in Rancho Cordova, California and remained there until she retired. She made many good friends there and had many loyal customers who returned time and time again. Betty’s favorite pasttimes were camping and swimming, gardening, reading, and collecting keepsakes. Her favorite place to camp and swim was the Bear River Reservoir in Amador County. Betty loved the beautiful scenery at Bear Lake and swimming in the clear, blue water; but, she enjoyed the family gatherings there and the nights around the campfire even more. Betty was an avid gardener and loved to plant and lovingly doted over her plants and flowers. She always enchanted with the beauty of a beautiful flower or plant. Betty loved to read all kinds of novels and history books. She would often read an entire novel in a couple of days. Betty was always happy to share her knowledge she had gained from all her reading. She was very fond of collecting Location Pins and collected State pins from every state in the U.S. She attached them to a pretty green canvas purse that she purchased for the pins. She also had a large collection of salt and pepper character shakers. Many of the salt and pepper shakers were gifted to Betty by family members, and each time she received one, she was giddy with joy. Betty loved butterflies and had a large collection of simulated butterflies which she displayed on her bedroom wall. But more than anything else, Betty was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her children dearly and would have done anything for their happiness and to protect them. Betty was always glad to hear from one of her children and grand children no matter the situation whether good or bad and always responded with heartfelt words of support and encouragement. Betty had a heart of gold and an inner beauty that shined outwardly and lit up the world around her. Betty was the anchor, pillar of her family and she provided a lifetime of boundless love, warmth, strength, and unwavering support. Betty will be remembered with endless love and her absence leaves a void that can never be filled.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded by her husband, Lando Dail Yarber, her daughter, Vivien L Williams, her son, Lanny L Yarber, her Grandson, Jim D Yarber, her Granddaughter, Sabrina Alexander, her sister Doris Ellen Hessell, her brothers Robert Charles Richards, Horace William Richards, and John William Richards.
Betty is survived by her son Gary Dail Yarber and his wife, Kaye L Yarber, her daughter, Geraldine Frances Nagy and her husband, Allen Nagy, her Son-In-Law, Richard Williams (Vivien’s spouse), and Darren Alexander (Sabrina’s spouse), her Grandaughters, Shelly White and her husband, Danny White, and Georgeanne Marcum and her husband, Aaron, her Grandson, Clint Nagy, her Great Grandsons, Michael Alexander, Nicholas Stewart, Cody Williams, Chauncey Marcum, her Great Grandaughters, Samantha Alexander, Kristin Stewart, Tiffany Alexander, Tabitha Alexander, , Taylor Nagy, Jenna Nagy, Magdalyn White, and Aubrienne White, her Great Great Grand Children, Derek Alexander, Christian Alexander, and Samara Alexander.
