The daughter of Madge Clark Davis and Laurence Weber Davis, Betty was born September 3rd, 1933 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her childhood years were spent in New Orleans, Louisiana while attending Louise S. McGhee School. She enjoyed her summers at Camp Waldemar where her daughters and granddaughters continued the tradition. She later attended and graduated from The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas. She studied English Literature at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1955. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority in which she remained actively involved for many years. She married Willis Henderson (Bill) Gilmore, Jr. on May 3rd, 1957 in Abilene, Texas. The couple made their home in Midland. This year, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
As an active member of the community, she served on the boards of many organizations including Manor Park for 26 years, the Junior League of Midland, the Samaritan Counseling Center, Friends of the Library, the Midland Symphony Guild where she formulated the organization’s bylaws along with fellow Guild charter member, Harriet Herd. She and Mrs. Herd continued to create bylaws for various organizations throughout the community.
She was a life-long Episcopalian and an active member of St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church. She left her mark not only on the church parish in Midland, but also the Dioceses of Northwest Texas, Province VII and the National Church. She served as a Vestry member and held various leadership roles in the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) at St. Nicholas and President of The Diocese of Northwest Texas ECW. She also served as Secretary of Province VII for many years and attended numerous General Conventions. She chaired the National Standing Commission on the structure of the church and guided its work to revamp how the church operates to better carry out its mission and ministry. In 1999, she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas for her exceptional lay ministry.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Gilmore, of Midland; daughters, Kathy Shannon of Midland and Karen Anderson and her husband Steve, of Fort Collins, Colorado and sons, Willis Henderson (Trey) Gilmore III and his wife Susan, of Cypress, Texas, and Laurence Gilmore, of Denver, Colorado. She was blessed with eight grandchildren; Ashley Shannon Rodriguez and her husband Michael, Michelle Shannon Stribling and her husband Trevor, Kristin Nelson Spruiell and her husband Justin, Stephanie Nelson Culbertson and her husband Kyle, Willis Henderson (Will) Gilmore IV, Gilbert Joseph Gilmore, Jackson Davis Gilmore and Anne Caroline Gilmore. She also enjoyed her three great-grandchildren; Madeleine Claire Rodriguez, Davis Henderson Rodriguez and Everett Sullivan Spruiell.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church in Midland on Wednesday, May 17th at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be sent to St. Nicholas’ Church at 4000 W Loop 250 N, Midland, Texas 79707, Seminary of the Southwest at P.O. Box 2247, Austin, Texas 78768, Petroleum Museum at 1500 Interstate 20 West, Midland, Texas 79701 or Manor Park at 2208 North Loop 250 West, Midland, TX 79707.
The family is grateful for her wonderful caregivers, especially Gail Wilson, Joann Rice, Ra’Kaisha Washington, Hospice of Midland and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her untiring service to her family, friends, church and community will continue as an inspiration to all who knew her.
“God is in the midst of her, therefore she will not be removed.” Psalm 46:5.
Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com
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