Elizabeth Deppe Montgomery

Mrs. Elizabeth Deppe Montgomery, age 83, of Fairfield Township, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at her home with family members by her side. She was born in New Bern, NC, on May 28, 1938, daughter of the late Nelson Sylvanus Barker and Frances Koonce Barker.  Elizabeth attended high school at Peace College in Raleigh, NC.  She then attended St. Mary’s College in Raleigh, NC, for two years after which she transferred to the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. At UNC Greensboro, she graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

While at Peace College, Elizabeth met Jesse Franklin Montgomery III, on the North Carolina State College campus in early 1956.  Elizabeth and Frank became engaged in 1959.   After graduating from college, they were married in Trenton, NC, on September 10, 1960.  From there, they went to Fairborn, OH, where Frank worked as an engineer for the Air Force until June 1961.  During that year, Elizabeth was employed as a school teacher in Xenia, OH. 

During the summer of 1961, Elizabeth was hired as a teacher at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, while Frank underwent pilot training. Then, when Frank was transferred to a Fighter Training Base at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas, Elizabeth was employed again to teach at the base school.

At the end of 1965, Frank completed his active duty with the Air Force and returned to an engineering job at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.  During the late 60’s, Elizabeth would serve as a substitute teacher in Beavercreek, OH.  After Frank became employed by the General Electric Aviation Division, she later subbed in Fairfield, OH, in the early 1980s

Mrs. Montgomery is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jesse Franklin Montgomery III; daughters, Catharine R. Walden and husband Michael E. Walden of Lewisburg, Ohio, Elizabeth A. Morrison and her husband Scott P. Morrison of Twin Falls, Idaho. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Branden L. Funderburg and fiancée Ashley Burch of Cincinnati, Justin E. C. Walden and wife Taylor Walden and daughter (great-granddaughter), Lily E. Walden of West Manchester, OH and Tyler M. Morrison and Caitlin S. Morrison of Twin Falls, Idaho. Other relatives include sister-in-law Janet Montgomery and Dan Veilleux of Vilas, NC; Diana Montgomery Huggin (deceased) and David Huggin of New York, NY; Nephews, Chris and Laurie Hyland of Durham, NC, Jon and Katie Hyland of Winston-Salem, NC, cousins Fay Barker of Kinston, NC, John and Lucy Marston of Comfort and NC and Edgar and Susan Marston of Chapel Hill, NC, Bill and Janet Dumas of Wilmington, NC; and Frank and Leanne Koonce of Phoenix, AZ.

One of Elizabeth’s passions was to get her whole family together on the beaches of North Carolina or the cabins in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Fond memories of Elizabeth include playing Chinese checkers and leading the “White Elephant” gift exchange during Christmas celebrations with loved ones. Other interests included the Altar Guild at the Lindenwald United Methodist Church, the Walden Ponds Book Club and the Walden Ponds “Poppers” Wine Tasting Club, as well as other neighborhood social groups and gatherings.  She also enjoyed cruises with Frank to the Mediterranean, Baltic States, British Isles and Alaska. 

Elizabeth also had a sweet tooth and enjoyed Graeter’s mint chocolate chip ice cream on special occasions.

Grandchildren were extra special to Elizabeth.  She took great joy in spending time with grandsons Branden Funderburg, Justin Walden, Tyler and Caitlin Morrison as they were growing up.  Then her heart was completely captivated by her great granddaughter, Lily Walden, daughter of Colt and Taylor Walden.  On occasional trips to NC, she also greatly enjoyed spending time with the Hyland’s, Marston’s and Dumas’s and their children.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lindenwald United Methodist Church on August 11, 2021.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, Administrative Offices, 4360 Cooper Road, Cincinnati Ohio 45242 or to the Lindenwald United Methodist Church, 3501 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton, OH 45015.

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