Betty Burgess Stewart

Betty B. Stewart, 85 of Litchfield Park, AZ went to be with our Lord December 30, 2011. She was born September 6, 1926 in Orangefield,TX to Vernon O. “Buck” and Irma V. Burgess. In 1936 Betty moved from Hempstead, TX to Houston with her mother and began the fifth grade. Excelling in both academics and athletics, she attended junior high in Houston and graduated from San Jacinto High School there in May of 1943. Betty met Byron Glazier Stewart that same year and they married Jan. 12, 1946.

Betty worked for the Humble Oil Company from 1944 to 1952. In the mid 1950s Byron’s job at Sinclair Oil Company took them to New Jersey and Corpus Christi, TX to live. In 1956 Betty gave birth to a precious daughter, Vicki Lynne who only lived a few hours. By early 1958 they were back in Houston where first son, Eric, was born in August of that year. Betty and Byron’s second son Thomas came along in January, 1960. A treasured family memory was the tradition of summer vacations highlighted by the annual pilgrimage to Dallas and Six Flags over Texas.

Betty and Byron always enjoyed traveling. Their final trip together was in 1984 shortly after Byron’s retirement. At this time, Byron began experiencing the initial symptoms of what would soon be diagnosed as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Betty lost her beloved Byron, November 14, 1986 with both Eric and Tom by her side.

The next twenty-five years represented a time of change for Betty as she embarked on numerous activities, many of which revolved around Bellaire United Methodist Church and numerous social groups. Always a devoted mother Betty was also quick to make new friends, had a contagious smile, loved laughing and being with others. In the 1990s and early 2000s, she visited Europe, Australia, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and New York City among other places. Never forgetting family, Betty always cherished time with her relatives, especially during the holidays when she seemingly never missed an event or failed to mail a card.

In June of 2006 making one of her most difficult decisions, Betty picked up stakes and moved from her dearly-loved Texas to Arizona. Leaving the same residence and all the memories of 55 years was a tearful event, but one that Betty soon embraced upon arrival in the Grand Canyon state. She moved into a life care community with abundant activities, and most importantly a wonderful group of residents. In Arizona, Betty had the opportunity to spend a great deal of quality time with her granddaughter, Abigail Catherine, daughter of Tom and Sharon. She was thrilled to have the chance to see Abby grow and Betty’s love was quickly manifested in many ways. In these last years, one of Betty’s favorite things was to join the family for a weekend meal out, especially at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

Although Betty’s lung issues and heart problems began to take their toll, she still managed to enjoy her friends and family, frequently expressing her loving and caring ways in many ways in many of their lives. Always a religious woman, in her waning years Betty’s faith continued to grow as she fully and completely accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior. It is with that knowledge that we know, just as Betty did, that her final resting place is with our Lord in Heaven.

Betty is survived by son Eris Alan, Son Thomas Ray and his wife

Sharon, and one granddaughter, Abigail Catherine.