Elizabeth H. "Betty" Sterling, 83, of Leonardtown, MD died July 15, 2008 in St. Mary's Hospital. Born July 29, 1924 in Baltimore, MD she was the daughter of the late Robert M. and Maria Elizabeth Greenwell Hunt.

She was preceded in death by her husband B. Harris Sterling on July 17, 1987 whom she married on October 20, 1949 in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD.

She is survived by her children: Lisa Houser and her husband John of Chaptico, MD, Betty Lynn Armsworthy and her husband Philip, Bobby Sterling and his wife Judy and Gail Ridgell and her husband Ron all of Leonardtown, MD; siblings: Robert M. Hunt, III of Esperanza, MD and Patricia Abell Guy of Leonardtown, MD; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Betty was a life long St. Mary's County resident where she graduated from St. Mary's Academy Class of 1942 and attended Mercy Nursing School, Baltimore, MD. She was employed as a nurse for Dr. William D Boyd, Sr. for 16 years until her retirement in 1967. Mrs. Sterling's first and foremost love was her family, including a devoted husband "Harris" who preceded her in death 21 years ago, her 4 children "Betty Lynn, Bob, Gail and Lisa", 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Both she and her husband were avid supporters of catholic education. She loved pets of all varieties and she was always willing to take in another. Betty was fun-loving and enjoyed all of the traditions and folklore of St. Mary's County. She was an avid Orioles fan and loved a good NASCAR race on Sunday.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 17, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD with Fr. John Dakes officiating. Interment will follow in St. Aloysius Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Ryan Armsworthy, Stephen Armsworthy, Ben Sterling, Brent Armsworthy, Galen Ridgell and Garrett Sterling. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Christy Sterling, Grant Ridgell, Rhonnie Ridgell and John Houser.

Contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.