Betty Jones Wampler, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2022 in Houston, TX. Betty was born to John and Elizabeth Jones of McKeesport, PA on September 26, 1926. Her parents had emigrated from Wales before getting married in Pennsylvania, and Betty always cherished her Welsh heritage. She grew up with her loving family that included not only her parents but also her four older siblings – Nancy Shaw, Nell Overley, Richard Jones and John Jones. She was married to William P. Wampler Jr. in 1947, and they had two children, Karen Moreland Wampler and William Wampler IV (Dub). She went on to have three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Betty was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was very intelligent and committed to the idea of bettering society for all. This interest and passion led her to choose Economics as her major at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia. After college graduation, she went on to teach high school students for several years. She later decided to devote her time to her family and raising her two children as well as to assisting her husband in his entrepreneurial business ventures. After her husband passed away in 1974 at only 47 years old, she took over his family-owned business and successfully ran the dance and clothing store known as Capezio in the Houston Galleria for a number of years. After deciding to sell the business in the mid-1980s, she committed her time and talents to work as the manager of the bookstore at Unity Church of Christianity in west Houston as well as to participate on the HOA Board for the community in which she lived.
Spirituality was a significant part of Betty’s life, and she practiced her spirituality in various ways, including hosting a meditation group that studied Joel Goldsmith’s teachings at her home. In times of need, Betty was a wonderful person to turn to for spiritual support and guidance. Her spirituality sustained her after losing her husband early in life, outliving all of her siblings, and losing her children later in life. Her grandchildren remember her as a person small in stature but large in tenacity and grit. On a lighter note, Betty will be particularly remembered for the famous fudge she baked every Christmas. She was an avid card player, and everyone wanted her as a bridge partner. Betty’s warmth, care and love were deeply known and felt by her family and friends. She acted as the main caregiver for her mother-in-law, Louise (Ging) Wampler. She never missed a family event and was a very thoughtful gift-giver. She had an infectious smile and laugh that was often commented on by others, and she always brought joy. This, along with her generosity, authenticity and openness, will always be remembered.
Betty is the beloved mother-in-law of Stephen Gunzelman; loving grandmother of Christopher Gunzelman and his wife Ashley of The Woodlands, TX, Jennifer Buckley and her husband Blake of Dallas, TX, and Amanda Gunzelman and her partner Patrick Bolgren of Houston, TX; cherished great grandmother of Breslin Gunzelman of Houston, TX and Sam Buckley of Dallas, TX; and aunt to John and Carol Overley, Jane Balmer, Wendell Jones, Suzie Snyder, Bronwyn Jones, Diedre Shaffer, Richard Jones, and Kip Shaw.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents and older siblings, husband William Wampler Jr., daughter Karen Gunzelman, and son William Wampler IV (Dub).
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Houston Food Bank or Star of Hope Mission would be much appreciated. Betty donated to many different charities, but these were two of her local favorites.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at a memorial and burial service for Betty to be held on July 8, 2022 at 11:00 am at Forest Park Westheimer, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.
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