Betty S Lowder

She married Jim, her husband of 70 years, on December 9th, 1950. Betty worked as a drafter in Anchorage, Alaska, while they were stationed at Fort Richardson. They moved to Lubbock in 1956, where they raised their 3 children. Betty graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech in 1978, then worked as a Certified Financial planner for Pennington Bass Co. in Lubbock, where she helped develop an accredited certification for professional retirement counselors through the International Foundation for Retirement Education. She and Jim were very active in scouting, founding Explorer post 402, Betty was the first woman to lead a backpacking trip at Philmont Scout Ranch. She served as the first and only female president of the South Plains Council, and received the Silver Beaver Award. The Texas Tech College of Human Services awarded her the Distinguished Alumni Award, and she served on the President’s Advisory Board, as well as the United Way Board. After retiring, she continued to perform pro bono financial counseling to those needing it.

She is survived by her children, Clay Lowder and Maggie Austin, Kent and Lynn Lowder, Beth and Neil Holland, 18 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.

She and Jim were featured in the AJ December 10th, 2020, celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. At Betty’s request, donations may be made to the endowed scholarship in her name at the Texas Tech College of Human Sciences, or the South Plains Council, BSA.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church, 12:30 PM, Saturday February 19th, 2022, and visitation Friday, the night before, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home.