Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Williford Reeve

Betty began working for the family owned Williford Lumber Company in Athens at the young age of 16. She would drive lumber to job sights, work outside in the lumber yard and in the office as well. Betty graduated from Eustace High School in 1942. While working in the lumber yard in the spring of 1946 she was asked to be the Queen of the Texas Fiddler’s Association Reunion. So in 1946, Betty was crowned as the first Queen of the Texas Fiddler’s Association Reunion. She also played the piano with the Fiddlin’ Free Staters String Band. Betty was very talented, she could play the piano, organ, guitar, harmonica and the accordion all by ear. September 7, 1946, Betty married her high school sweetheart Edward (Ed) Lee Reeve after Ed returned from overseas in WWII. They raised five children, Edward Lee Reeve Jr. (Little Ed), Kathryn Ann Reeve, Cary Williford Reeve, Robin Kemmerle Reeve and Robert Andrews Reeve. While the children were growing up Betty became a stay at home mother. Her passion in life was her family, she loved her children. As her children got older Betty returned to the workforce. She became a substitute teacher for Eustace, Mabank and Cross Roads schools. She also sold insurance for LaRue Insurance Agency in Athens. Betty then became the librarian and music teacher for Eustace school K-12 grades. On the weekends she loved having family meals. Every Saturday, family and friends would come by to eat and enjoy each other’s company, everyone was welcomed. Betty was a very caring and loving lady that will be missed by all who knew her.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Cary and Mabel Williford. Her husband, Edward Lee Reeve Sr., sister Kathryn Louise Williford Pritchett and a grandson Caleb Seth McCarter.

Survivors include , son: Edward Lee Reeve Jr. of Eustace, daughter: Kathryn Ann Reeve Sutton and husband Ronnie of Eustace, son: Cary Williford Reeve of Eustace, daughter: Robin Kemmerle Reeve McCarter of Eustace, Karyn Mullen, who she loved as her own daughter, of Eustace, son: Robert Andrews Reeve and wife Laurie of Eustace. Grandchildren, James Reeve and wife Kay of Arlington, Broe Reeve of Duncanville, Stewart Sutton of Eustace, Chance Sutton and wife Brandi of Eustace, Ashley McCarter of Eustace, Jacob McCarter of Eustace, Tucker Reeve of Eustace, Cooper Reeve of Eustace and Avery Reeve of Eustace. Great-grandchildren, Stephani Reeve of Arlington, Angel Reeve of Arlington, Hunter Reeve of Arlington, Hanna Reeve of Arlington and Brody Sutton of Eustace, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many other loving family members and friends. She will truly be missed by her family and friends and all that knew her.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons, James Reeve, Broe Reeve, Stewart Sutton, Chance Sutton, Jacob McCarter, Tucker Reeve, Cooper Reeve, Hunter Reeve and Brody Sutton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Moorehead-Melton Cemetery in Eustace.