Betty Jean Norvell Mathis

After suffering with Alzheimer’s disease for many years, "the long goodbye" is finally over. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family early Saturday, October 10, 2015.

She grew up in Taylor, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music.

She was a gifted pianist and teacher, a kind, gentle mother and grandmother and a loyal employee of Real Estate Services in Dallas for 30 years.

Our world has been less bright in her absence.

Betty was preceded in death by her second husband, James Wayne Mathis, in 2005; her only sibling Joyce Helen Campbell of Austin, in 2001; her mother, Helen Genevieve Norvell of Austin, in 2014; and father George Lovoy Norvell of Austin, circa 1970.

She is survived by her 4 children, Susan McDonald, Rick McDonald, Jeanette Boettcher and husband Bruce, all of Dallas, TX; Sheryl Wallace and husband John, of Hubbard, TX; and stepson Kenny Mathis of Plano, TX and his children, Daniel and Lauren.

Known as “Dodie,” she is also survived by 5 granddaughters - Jennifer, Andrea, Katie, Cara, and Kathrin; 3 grandsons - Michael, David, and Evan; 5 great-grandchildren - Morgan, Jackson, Joseph, Ella, and Hayes; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations can be made in her memory to the following organizations: Diversacare at - www.diversicareoflakehighlands.com or the Alzheimers Assoc. at - www.alz.org

A Visitation will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Sparkman Crane Funeral home from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with a Graveside Committal Service to follow at Pleasant Mound Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.