Betty M. Zientara

Betty Mae Zientara, 93, passed away on April 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and friends at the home of her daughter in Staunton, Virginia.

Betty was born in Chico, California on September 30, 1932, to Thomas Clifford Jones and Julia Lynch Jones.

As a high school senior in 1950, Betty enlisted in the United States Marine Corps because her nation was at war. Stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina for three years, she served with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and was responsible for managing the loading of personnel and equipment on aircraft. She rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, which was quite an accomplishment for a woman in the 1950’s. She often said there was no greater honor than to stand at attention, in uniform, saluting the flag of this great nation. It was at Cherry Point that she met fellow Marine and the love of her life, Frank “Ernie” Zientara, together they would build a life together that was dedicated to service to country, community, and family.

Betty volunteered her entire life, as Scout mother, Family Services volunteer taking care of young airmen and their families, as a Eucharistic Minister distributing communion to the sick at Wright-Patterson Medical Center and Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta, Virginia, and as an Augusta Health Hospice Volunteer.

Betty was a woman of deep faith, and it is that faith that comforts her family in knowing that she has been reunited with her husband. For years, she told everyone that Ernie would say, “What took you so long babe?”

Betty’s love and dedication to her family was at the heart of her entire being and was a source of constant joy and pride. Betty was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, The Marine Corps League and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Diana Beam and her husband Tom; her son, David Zientara and his wife Barbara; nephew Zachary Lampitok and wife Christina; granddaughter, Emily Beam, great-grandsons, Rylan Beam and Troy Zientara; great nephew, Zacarias Lampitok and his wife Leenah, great-great nephews Jake and Ryan; great niece, Christina Sandoval and her husband Armando, great-great niece and nephew Lillyanna and Ruben. As well as cherished family friend, Janet Willson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Frank Ernest Zientara, her sister, Julia W. Lampitok, her grandson, Jason D. Zientara and her great-grandson, Lachlan Sky.

The family would like to thank Dr. James LaGrua and Carilion Clinic Fort Defiance for their care, compassion, and dedication to Betty for the last 11 years. The family would also like to thank Hospice of the Shenandoah for providing comfort care for Betty andsupport to her family during her final days.

Services will be private and interment will be at Resurrection Catholic Church Cemetery, Moneta, Virginia in July. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Betty’s honor.