Elizabeth "Betty" J. Hout, the matriarch of the extended Hout family and Richmond's treasured gem, passed away on April 29, 2025, at her Richmond home, surrounded by her many loved ones. She was 104.

She was born on Sept. 12, 1920, in Gibson, Ohio, to the late John and Adelia (Jarbo) Hedges. In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Howard D. Hout on Dec. 25, 1980; her son, Ronnie Hout on May 2, 2022; her grandson, Randy Proffitt on Oct. 6, 2023; and her brothers and sisters.

Betty grew up on a farm in Broadacre with her seven siblings, of whom she was the youngest. A 1938 graduate of Hopedale High School, she went on to graduate from the Steubenville Business College. Her first job was at J.C. Penney when it was located on North Fourth Street, Steubenville. She then worked for attorney C.B. McCann in downtown Steubenville before serving as a bookkeeper in the office of the Steubenville Pottery before her marriage to Howard D.Hout on Aug. 5, 1944. They had three children – Joyce, Ronnie and Denny. She returned to the workforce with 17 years as a clerk of courts in Jefferson County, serving under Michael Button, Gus Evans, Adam Scurti and Joseph Bruzzese. She retired in 1991.

An avid gardener who started going to exercise classes when she was in her 80s, Betty traveled extensively stateside and abroad; loved company and reveled in extending hospitality; enjoyed being a part of all celebrations and maintaining holiday traditions; and influenced generations with her love, zest for life and her positive attitude.

Her memberships included the Richmond Methodist Church, Richmond Community Historical Society, Richmond Lioness Club and the Richmond American Legion Auxiliary.

Betty is survived by her children, Denny (Linda) Hout and Joyce (Ralph) Proffitt; her grandchildren, Jack (Marian) Proffitt, Stacey (Rick) Snyder, Ronald J. (Caedyn) Hout, David McMillion, and Jim (Reiko) McMillion; her great-grandchildren, Curtis (Taylor Johnson) Proffitt, Amara Proffitt, Josephine Proffitt, Shawn, Kayla and Emma Snyder, and Justin Walker; and her great-great-grandchildren, Casen, Callie, Maitland, Kingston, Lyric, Joel, Daenerys, Damien, and Hayden.

Friends will be received at the Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, 685 Canton Road, Wintersville, Ohio, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held there Monday, May 5, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Tom Scott officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Richmond Methodist Church.