Betty J. Jackson

Betty Jo Jackson passed away on October 31, 2022. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Highland Cemetery Pavilion in Iowa Park, Texas. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022, at Dutton Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at REVIVE! Church in Pasadena, Texas.

Betty Jo Hatten Jackson was born on April 11, 1930, in Iowa Park, Texas, the only child of Jim and Kathleen Hatten. She grew up in Iowa Park and graduated from W.F. George High School in 1947. She attended Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas, for two years and was the organist for First United Methodist Church in Iowa Park during that time. She then transferred to Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated in 1951, earning a bachelor’s degree with a major in Christian Education. After graduation, Betty worked for Floral Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas as the Director of Christian Education. Betty married her high school sweetheart, Dean Jackson, on June 12, 1953, and moved to Pasadena, Texas. After her children started school, she joined the staff of First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, Texas as Educational Director. After additional study at Southern Methodist University, Betty was consecrated as a Diaconal Minister in 1977 and continued to serve on the church staff until she retired in 1989. Betty and Dean traveled to all 50 states and several foreign countries. They enjoyed taking cruises and hosting friends and family at their weekend home on Lake Livingston.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 62 years, Dean Jackson.

Surviving relatives include daughter Deanna LaFargue and husband Dave; son Jim Jackson and wife Niky; five grandchildren, Russell and wife Brittany LaFargue, Wendy and husband David Butler, Emily Jackson, Angela and husband Rey Lopez, Kyle and wife Megan Mauro; and six great grandchildren, Grant, Clay, and Asher LaFargue, Jackson Butler, Dominic and Rio Rose Lopez Mauro.

In lieu of flowers, Betty requested donations be made to REVIVE! Church Pasadena, Texas, 1062 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, Texas 77504.