Betty Rudd King

Betty, the only child of William Lee and Ruth Crosby Rudd, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 19, 1932. She spent her childhood and high school years in Burlington, North Carolina.

In 1950 she celebrated two major events. She graduated high school and she married Benny Gray King, all within a week of each other. Their marriage lasted just two months short of 65 years due to Ben’s death. Their union produced four children: Kathryn, Benjamin, David and Virginia.

Betty moved to Irving, Texas in 1953 with Kathy, her firstborn and was a stay-at-home mom to raise her children while Ben was a pilot for American Airlines and the United States Navy. The family moved to Dallas in 1963.

She was inspired to further her education and graduated from Texas Women’s University in 1974 and earned a Master of Arts in 1976, also at TWU.

Her career was in music and drama. She was a singer and actor on a variety of stages. She appeared in three Oscar winning films in three years: Tender Mercies, Silkwood and Terms of Endearment. She also acted in commercials, industrial films, and community theatre productions.

Betty was a long-time member of the Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church where she served three terms as Deacon and one as an elder. She was in the sanctuary choir and active in prayer and healing ministries.

Betty is survived by three of her children – Kathryn Kremer, Benjamin King and Virginia Tinney, who gave her six grandchildren (Michael Kremer, Stephen Kremer, Karen Kremer, Joanna King, Jennifer King and Michelle Tinney) and seven great grandchildren (Timothy, Elizabeth, Olivia, Audrey, Hadley, Talia and Jackson). Also missing “Granny” are Christopher and Christian Tinney, Dean Tinney’s son and grandson.

Interment will be at Restland Memorial Park on Monday, June 24. The Celebration of Life will be at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 2pm.

The family requests that memorials be made to Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army or any charity of your choice.