Betty, 86, San Jose, formerly of Gilroy, passed away on Tuesday, October 23rd. She was born in Trenton, Texas to John Burleson and Mattie Williams Burleson on March 6, 1932.  She was the youngest of eight children and grew up on the family farm milking cows and killing chickens when company came for dinner.  Although they described themselves as poor farmers, her family was rich in love and always had plenty of simple but delicious food to eat. As a child, Betty rode horses bareback and made paper dolls by cutting out figures from the Sears catalogues.

She married Robert Hittson when she was a teenager and gave birth to a daughter, Linda, but later married Richard Leone with whom she had a son, Richard Leone, Jr.  They moved to San Jose, California and raised their children in the lovely Willow Glen area.  Betty was an excellent homemaker—an immaculate housekeeper and wonderful cook who excelled at baking pies and all sorts of delicious desserts.  Her family was her life.  Betty and Richard bought land in Gilroy in 1969, built a home and lived there for thirty years until Richard's death, after which Betty moved back to Willow Glen.

Betty was a committed Christian who loved Jesus and served in her church and Bible Study Fellowship by teaching the Bible to little children.  She met Earl Nordyke at church and married him in 2010.

Betty was predeceased by her son, Richard Jr., and by her husband Earl.  She is survived by her daughter Linda and son-in-law A.J. Hart; two daughters-in-law; seven grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren who will miss her greatly.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 11:00 am at Habing Family Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park.