A Tribute to Aunt Betty (1926–2020): Part 1

Part 1—The SoCal Years

Elizabeth Louise “Betty” Ranum (Pannell) (1926-2020) [aunt; NextGen: grandaunt] would have been 94 today. In our family tree, she was the last survivor of her generation. This is a brief homage to her sojourn on earth.

Betty was born on 9 Sep 1926 in Great Falls, Montana. She was the firstborn child of Alton Warren Ranum (1905-1949) and Esther Amanda Rey Bryant (1904-1996). Shortly after her birth (1927?) the family moved to 1408 Orange Ave. in Santa Ana, California. The 1930 census indicates that Alton was an optician, had been born in Montana, and that his parents had been born in Denmark. Esther had been born in Texas, her father was born in Georgia, and her mother was born in Mississippi. They had married on 8 Jun 1924 in Helena, Montana. Betty's brother, Kenneth Alton Ranum (1933-1996) would be born in Santa Ana.

As has been mentioned in an earlier post, the Ranums had moved to 309 S. Garnsey St by the 1940 census, which placed her right next door to the Pannells, and her future husband, Benjamin Daniel Pannell, at 313 S. Garnsey St.

In 1940, Betty was listed as 13 and her brother 7, as of the April 1 census date, and Ben was 17. In time they managed to develop affection for one another. By the time Ben enlisted in the army on 16 Feb 1943, when he was almost 20 and Betty 16½, they were a steady couple.

Betty Lou was a popular girl and many social and school events are covered over the years in the Santa Ana Register, including performances in the "College Daze" operetta, and activities with Methodist church groups (the Pannells also attended the Methodist church, so this could be another place that Ben and Betty interacted).

The Register also reports on many visits from Helena, Montana, of Alton's sister and Betty's Aunt Mildred.

By June 1942, the Pannells had moved to North Hollywood. Ben's draft card of 30 Jun 1942 lists his and his mother's address as 5626 Lemp Ave, North Hollywood. Betty's brother-in-law Bob was living there, too. Ben was employed with Crescent Sheet Metal at 1154 N Highland in Hollywood. He is listed as 5'11", 150 lb., blue eyes, brown hair, and ruddy complexion.

The Ranums also moved around this time to North Hollywood. A 13 Feb 1941 article in the Santa Ana Register describes her going-away party:

[The article makes a number of errors: Betty often went by the name "Betty Lou," not "Betty Lu" as spelled here. The family was leaving for North Hollywood, not Hollywood, although the distinction may have been lost on Santa Anans at the time. And the family address was 309 South Garnsey Ave, not 302. Otherwise, they nailed it!]

Betty graduated in the Summer 1944 class of North Hollywood High School, according to her yearbook, the Arcade. Here is her yearbook photo, unfortunately slightly cropped-off:

As mentioned, Ben enlisted in the army on 16 Feb 1943. Wounded in France in November 1944 while on a scouting mission for General Patch's Seventh Army, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart, Ben returned to the states for further medical treatment and convalescence in March 1945.

After he recovered, Ben and Betty would wed on 8 Jan 1946, when she was 19 and he was still 22.

Betty would lose her father, Alton, on 29 Sep 1949, when he was only 44. Both Betty and Ben lost their fathers at a young age (Ben's father died when he was only 42). At the time, Alton, Esther, and probably Kenny, were living at 18445 Napa St in Northridge, California, where Esther remained for many years. Our families would gather there often over the years for celebrations, and especially enjoyed playing and picnicking in the large, verdant back yard. Betty would remain close with her father's sister, Aunt Mildred, as well.

The 1950 census information will not be released until 2022 (always 72 years after the census date), but we have some directory information in the meantime. The 1952 California voters' registration lists show Betty and Ben residing at 13951 Addison St in Sherman Oaks. Betty is registered as a Democrat, while Ben follows his mother's lead (not his father's) and is a Republican.

Betty's brother-in-law, Bob has also married, on 23 Oct 1950 to Margaret Mary Peter (1923-2012) [mother; NextGen: grandmother], and Betty's first nephew, Stephen Lemont Pannell (1951-1994), is born on 31 Aug 1951. Bob, Margie, and Steve are living at 5716 Fulcher Ave in North Hollywood, where they will stay until they move in 1955 to 4760 Zelzah Ave in Encino.

[I recall a story about my birth that involves Aunt Betty. On 18 Mar 1954, Margie's water broke prematurely. She was scheduled for a caesarian section in a few days. The doctor told her to come immediately (to St Joseph's maternity ward in Burbank). Margie and Bob took their time, dropping 2½- year-old Stevie to be babysat with Aunt Betty in Sherman Oaks. By the time Margie and Bob arrived at the hospital in Burbank, the doctor was frantic. (There were no freeways in those days!) I was delivered, without further incident, about 1:00 in the afternoon, Betty's second nephew.]

Betty and Ben were active in local charity and veterans groups in the 1950s. The opening picture on this post depicts Betty at a fashion show benefiting Kappa Omicron Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha(!) of which she served as president in 1954. She also was active in YMCA and church charities, and volunteered as a precinct worker in local elections.

Ben, in the meantime, was installed in 1957 as Commander of the Hollywood chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

In 1958, the Pannells welcomed the arrival of their first child, Connie Lynn, born 31 Jan 1958. The Valley News reported a baby shower to mark the joyous occasion:

I am not sure exactly when Betty and family left the San Fernando Valley to carve out their lives in Northern California, especially the spectacular woods of Lake Almanor in Plumas County and Clear Creek in Lassen County, but they were there when their second daughter Victoria was born on 22 Apr 1963.

Part 2 will pick up the story of Betty's years in Northern California.