Mary Elizabeth (Sloan) Van Alen

Mary Elizabeth (Bettie) Sloan Van Alen, born February 11, 1931, at the old DeLand Memorial Hospital on Stone Street, to Harley and Myrtle Stanfield, passed away on April 21, 2025 in the presence of family. Bettie was a DeLand native and DeLand High School graduate. She married Melton Sloan in December of 1947, a WWII veteran, semi-professional baseball player for The DeLand Red Hats, deacon First Baptist Church, and owner of Mel’s Shortstop Food Stores, Inc. until his death in 1977. Bettie continued to work and manage the stores for two more years. She then married Charles Van Alen, master technician, in 1980 until his passing in 2017. She is survived by her only daughter Sharon Sloan Mesibov (Steven); brother Harley Edward Stanfield (Rosamond), and sister, Marjorie Waters, along with many others she loved and who loved her. Bettie was an active member of First Baptist Church, DeLand, and served as a deacon. Her life was a reflection of her reverence for the Lord and love and appreciation for her family. While happily married, Bettie worked at George Marks Elementary School as a cafeteria manager in the early 1960s. She left the position to work alongside her beloved Melton to run Mel’s Shortstops 1 and 2 and later was again employed by Volusia County Schools as a teacher’s assistant for handicapped children. Before and after her retirement she became a volunteer in her daughter‘s classroom at Woodward Elementary. She was genuinely kind and genteel in her quiet lady-like manner. But at the same time was wise and strong in her beliefs. A southern lady, a true steel magnolia. She often volunteered as a member of the Historical Society and dressed in costume for tours of vintage DeLand houses. As one of her last requests she asked that friends and loved ones share a special kindness for someone else. A graveside service took place at Oakdale Cemetery in DeLand. Allen-Summerhill was in charge of arrangements.

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