It is with deep sorrow and love we announce the passing of Betty Jean “Jeannie” Medley on August 28, 2024. Jeannie died peacefully in her sleep at home in the midst of family members. Her kindness, strength, and endless love shaped our lives in so many beautiful ways. Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents Jim Giles and Dess Martin, her daughter-in-law Priya Medley, her grandson Russell Taylor, and her great-grandson Silas Vickers.

Betty Jean was born in the Southern California town of Wilmar on January 26, 1937, to James Lamont Giles and Opal Odessa Dockens. She was loved and cherished by her parents, older brother Jim and younger sisters Alice and Doris.

Betty Jean and family lived in the Las Vegas area for a few years. She got to ride home in a police car when she missed the bus after kindergarten. Her older brother Jim couldn’t understand why she was so distressed after such a grand opportunity. They all soon moved back to Southern California and Betty Jean decided “Jeannie” was a better fit. In the fourth grade, Jeannie took dance lessons at her best friend’s mom’s studio. Her dad Jim used to dive off the Long Beach pier and would also take Jeannie “way out” past the waves on long swims.

When Jeannie was a young teenager, she loved going to the “Cliffie Stone Hometown Jamboree,” a Country music radio and television show broadcast from the Legion Stadium in El Monte, California.

Jeannie was a Dancer at El Monte High School and during her Senior year, in the Spring of 1954, she danced a solo, the “Tahitian Conga”, during the Student Union Benefit Show. She later wrote next to her name in the program - “boy was I scared.”

Jeannie met “Dee” on a blind date, they hit it off and began to spend lots of wonderful times together - they were often at the beach together and with their friends.

Jeannie graduated from El Monte High School in 1954, and moved to Utah to go to Brigham Young University. Jeannie experienced some feelings of “homesickness” and her High School Biology teacher, Ruth Durham, wrote her a letter including these encouraging words, “Be your sweet, unselfish Jeannie and you will make a place for yourself in the hearts of all you meet. One of your strongest characteristics is your high degree of social development. You are at home with everyone and make them happy to be with you”. Dee apparently agreed and sold his car and moved to Provo. Dee and Jeannie’s romance continued. They both relocated to Southern California after a year at BYU. Dee, ever the teaser, asked for his fraternity pin back; paused for effect- and then offered Jeannie an engagement ring and proposal for marriage. Dee, Jeannie, and both their parents all traveled to Salt Lake City and were married on September 2, 1955, in the beautiful pioneer-era Mormon Temple.

Dee and Jeannie made their home in Southern California. They lived in a small home near Dee’s parents in Temple City. Dee began a seven year school journey preparing for a career in dentistry and Jeannie made the small home a slice of heaven for the fast expanding family. Jeannie would often refer to these days of young children as some of the most rewarding of her life. Dee had what seemed like a crazy idea to take the whole family camping, “it’ll be fun,” he said. Turns out it was, and the family of 7 kids (and babysitter) all piled into the 1963 Volkswagen beetle and headed out to the desert.

Dee graduated from Dental school in 1968 and the family moved to West Covina. Jeannie loved their new residence and helped create a loving supportive home for the whole crew. Dee and Jeannie made lots of friends in their church congregation and community. Jeannie was always involved with the youth group activities her children attended. They continued to take their family camping, with the new addition of the family “dune buggy” — the converted 1963 VW that seated two adults and eight kids. The family joined an off road club and went on regular outings. If the dirt road was too steep for the well laden buggy, Jeannie and the eight kids would pile out and walk while Dee navigated the 40-horsepower rig and met them at the top.

In 1978, an opportunity came to relocate to Humboldt County. Dee and Jeannie left their beloved home and friends in Southern California and moved to Bayside, Humboldt County, California. Dee and Jeannie spent the next 46 years creating an amazing home and family environment in the beautiful redwood setting on Washington Creek. Dee built zip lines, rope swings and “Papa’s Pond.” Jeannie organized incredible family reunions, cooked and baked, decorated their home with needlepoint and other art, loved their grandchildren, and kept Dee on schedule building and making unique Christmas gifts for their grandchildren. Dee and Jeannie worked together and remodeled and customized their home. Jeannie partnered with Dee at their Arcata dental practice for many years, she was the office manager, dental assistant and made appointments. She was also Dee’s stress manager, as on Friday’s she would keep particularly difficult Monday schedules secret so Dee could enjoy the weekend!

When the kids left home Dee and Jeannie kept active together. They continued to travel to Southern Utah and off road travel through the scenic red rock canyon country. Dee and Jeannie owned a fifth wheel travel trailer for a time and made trips across the USA. They started backpacking together in the slot canyon area of Escalante, Utah. They hiked a total of over 800 miles over approximately 20 years.

Dee and Jeannie enjoyed their retirement years together. Their Bayside home was the scene of yearly July family reunions. Jeannie was the heart of the matter and made everyone feel loved and valued. She made a quilt for every new grandchild born and sent birthday cards to all generations of her family. Jeannie always knew the life situations of all her family. She was involved and interested in the details of their lives. She treated all her grandchildren as if they were her favorite.

Jeannie had to slowly give up doing the things she loved as Parkinsons and old age took their toll. Children and grandchildren continued to visit to spend time with their wonderful “Grama Jeannie”. Sooner than we liked, family members were coming to say good bye. Our family is deeply grateful to all the caregivers that provided such loving assistance to Jeannie. Thank you Hospice, Visiting Angels, and Bill R. We are grateful beyond words for what you have done.

Jeannie is survived by her husband Woodruff Dee Medley, their eight children - Ric (Mary) Medley, Cindie (Mike) Stowe, Mike (Lola) Medley, Julie (Mike) Turner, Debbie (Bill) Taylor, Cathie (Scott) Price, Rob (Carmen) Medley, John (Val) Medley, 36 grandchildren, and 59 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Jeannie on October 5, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2806 Dolbeer Street, Eureka, California. Available by Zoom on request.