Elizabeth "Betty" Wagner

Elizabeth “Betty” Wagner passed into glory on Wednesday April 24, 2013. The youngest child of George and Reba Dankelman, she was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 5, 1921. She was predeceased by her brother, Francis Dankelman, her husband, Felix Wagner, and a stillborn son.

After graduating from Southport High School, she began a promising career with Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, but chose to attend Bible college in Upper New York State where she studied music and met her husband, Felix. They married in Edgewood Methodist Church, close to the house where she grew up.

Elizabeth and Felix formed a powerful evangelistic team, serving in Indiana, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida, New Mexico, and finally, Houston, Texas. The foundation, Felix Wagner Ministries, enabled them to travel to many countries, ranging as far as South America and Australia. They finally settled in Houston where Felix was Associate Pastor at Houston’s First Baptist Church. Betty’s role as a soloist undergirded their ministry and reached peoples’ hearts where words could not stir them.

Betty was a dear friend to many people all over the world. She became an accomplished artist, exhibiting some of her work in galleries. Betty saw herself as a work of art, and always looked perfect. She remained a vital part of First Baptist, singing in the choir, traveling with groups to Europe and the Bavaria that she loved, and living her life to the fullest.

She is survived by her niece, Grace Elizabeth Dankelman Koch, of Canberra, A.C.T., Australia. Her friends and family will miss her dearly, but have the assurance that we will be singing with her in Heaven some day. A memorial visitation will be at 10:00 AM in the Chapel foyer, Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, with the memorial service following at 11:00 AM.