Betty Lou (Ruark) Middleton

Betty Lou Middleton, 87, passed away Sunday August 7, 2016, with her daughter by her side in Colorado Springs, CO. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer early in 2016. Betty Lou was born on January 11, 1929 in Hoopersville, Maryland to Horace Preston Ruark and Sue Elizabeth Ruark.

Betty Lou was a wonderful woman with a huge heart and loved by everyone. She was outgoing and extremely selfless. Her interests included gardening, reading and enjoying time with family. Betty Lou owned a seafood company called “Fast Fingers Seafood” which was located in Woolford, MD. Betty Lou’s most notable accomplishment was receiving the title of “National Champion Crab Picker”. Her record of picking 4 pounds, 9 ounces of crab meat within 15 minutes remains unbeaten. She was recently honored in the 2014 Seafood Festival located in Crisfield, MD.

Ms. Middleton is survived by her children; Benny Rippons, Deborah LaCasse, Bert Rippons and Heidi Diener, her sister Karen Ruark and brother Donald Ruark. She was preceded in death by her son, Anthony “Tony” Rippons. Betty Lou was loved by many and missed by all.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 2 PM at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge, Maryland located at 700 Locust Street. The viewing will take place on Friday August 19, 2016 from 6 to 8 PM. Betty Lou will be buried next to her deceased husband, Vernon David Middleton at the Old Trinity Churchyard, 1716 Taylors Island Road, Church Creek, MD. There will be a celebration of Betty Lou’s life at the Cambridge Elks Club after the funeral and burial services. Please join us for food and prayers in remembrance of the “National Crab Picking Champion”, Betty Lou Middleton.