The Ven. Darby Wood Betts, 86, priest of the Diocese of California, died Aug. 14. Fr. Betts was an authority on church architecture and founder of the Episcopal Homes Foundation and of the Diocese of California's Episcopal Charities Appeal.

A native of St. Louis, MO, Fr. Betts graduated from Washington and Lee University and Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1938. Fr. Betts served as curate at Ascension, St. Louis, MO, 1938-40; rector of St. Paul's, Kingsport, TN, 1940-42; rector of Whittle and Piedmont Parish, The Plains, VA, 1942-43; rector of St. Clement's, Alexandria, VA, 1943-50; canon of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, 1952-55; dean of the Cathedral of St. John, Providence, RI, 1955-60; canon to the ordinary, Diocese of California, 1960-61. From 1962 until his retirement in 1986, Fr. Betts was involved in non-parochial ministries. Fr. Betts is survived by his wife, Elaine, two daughters and a grandson.