Betty R. Thompson

Betty Thompson was born in Gorman, Texas, on June 28, 1931. She took her last breath on earth and her first breath in heaven on December 18, 2024, with good friends and beloved family members at her bedside. Her 93 years of life were filled with love, service, kindness, and a zest for life and goodness.

Betty was the daughter of D.M. and Eunice Russell. She graduated valedictorian of Lipan High School and received her bachelor's degree in speech therapy from Texas State College for Women (now Texas Women's University) in Denton. She later earned her Master's degree from the University of Houston while working full-time as an educator. She spent her career working with children with special needs, and impacted the lives of thousands of young people through her work as a speech therapist, special education teacher, and later as the director of a multi-district special education cooperative. Betty is recognized as one of the pioneers of special education in the state of Texas.

Betty lived a life of service to others in her personal life. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ and her love for others was exemplified by this service. She served as a volunteer and as a leader in numerous service organizations and as a spiritual leader in her church and community. To know Betty Thompson was to love her, and she will be sorely missed by her family and her many friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her older sisters Frances Richards and Louise Stallings, and by her son Rusty. She is survived by her husband Robert, her son Steve, 8 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Betty will be held Monday, December 23, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1515 South College Ave, Bryan, Texas 77801 with a funeral service at 2:30 PM. Burial will follow at Aggie Field of Honor, 3800 Raymond Stotzer Pkwy, College Station, Texas.