Obituaries

Betty Hunt, retired officer, passes away

Betty Hunt, a retired correctional officer and counselor from California Institution for Women, passed away March 11, 2024, at age 97.

Obituary image for Betty Hunt
Betty Hunt

She began working at California Institution for Women in the 1960s as a correctional officer and became a counselor later in her career.

Hunt was preceded in death by her parents, 11 siblings, a son, a grandson, and her husband. She is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

“In the sunset of her life, she loved telling her grandchildren funny stories from the farm (where she was raised in Oklahoma), whooping everyone at cards and hosting perhaps thousands of dinners,” according to her family. “Although Betty has left us in life, she will live on always in the happiest memories of everyone who loves her.”

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside.

Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.

Follow CDCR on YouTubeFacebookX (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.

Recent Obituaries

Frank Yoldi, retired clinical social worker

Frank Yoldi, a retired clinical social worker from Folsom State Prison, passed away Feb. 28, 2026, just a week shy…

Randall Richardson, retired correctional officer

Randall Richardson, a retired correctional officer, passed away Feb. 28, 2026. Richardson began his career with the department in April…

Nereo Bonilla Jr, retired correctional officer

Nereo Bonilla Jr., a retired correctional officer, has passed away, according to Pleasant Valley State Prison. A date of passing…

Ernest Randall, retired correctional sergeant

Ernest Randall, a retired correctional sergeant, passed away March 2, 2026. He worked for the department for two decades. Before…

Jewerl Thomas, retired correctional officer

Jewerl Thomas, a retired correctional officer, passed away Feb. 20, 2026. He worked for the department from 1995 until 2018.…

Reginald Sears, retired parole deputy administrator

Reginald “Reggie” Sears, a retired parole deputy administrator, passed away Feb. 8, 2026. He retired in 2004 after 30 years…