Bethany Christine Free

Bethany Christine Free was born on May 14, 1985 in Pasadena, Texas the only daughter of Chris and Debbe Free. She passed away on Sunday, May 19th at UTMB – League City at the age of 37 years, 10 mos and 5 days from complications with Stage IV breast cancer.

Bethany was united in marriage on June 19, 2015 to Brent Skarke and one child was born to this union, a beautiful daughter, Caroline.

Bethany grew up in Deer Park, attended La Porte Schools, and graduated from LaPorte High School in 2003 going onto college to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a Teacher. She was a proud Stephen F Austin State University Lumberjack, member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority, Rush Helper for Delta Chi Fraternity, and SFA Pom Team member. After graduating with Honors in 2007 from SFA, Bethany returned home to begin her teaching career at La Porte ISD. She was a Primary Teacher/Interventionist at Bayshore Elementary. Bethany loved being a teacher and loved her students. She was passionate about teaching and her responsibility as an educator to insure the success of the students that came thru her classroom. The pinnacle of her career was when she was selected as District Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Growing up Bethany’s first love was dance. She started dance lessons at private studios from the age of 6yrs old and continued until high school when she became a proud member/officer of the LaPorte High School Chatos Drill/Competition Team. That same love of dance has carried down to her beautiful daughter Caroline.

Bethany’s greatest happiness was spending time with her family, working in her yard, sitting on the back patio with her Dad listening to XM radio loudly singing while usually getting half the words wrong, the East Texas tall pines, Texas Country music especially Aaron Watson, and was one of the Houston Astro’s biggest fans. She already had their opening day marked on her calendar.

But Bethany’s greatest joy, greatest gift was her daughter. She always said Caroline was everything she had every dreamed of and “God made her just for me to be her mommy.” Bethany was a wonderful mother and looked forward to Caroline’s bedtime routine reading favorite books, rocking, and teaching Caroline to say her prayers. That was their quiet time at the end of busy days. Caroline “loves you ever! Mommy”

Bethany was a kind and loving person always thinking of others. Her friendships were important to her and she treasured each one of them. Bethany would remember a friend’s birthday or anniversary or just have them on her heart and took the time to send a card or note to let them know she was thinking of them. Bethany spent many hours looking for just the perfect birthday gift or Christmas present for her family and friends. She wanted you to know you were important to her.

Bethany accepted Jesus as her savior as a young girl while attending First Baptist Church of Deer Park. As a young adult she attended church at Monument Baptist and during college Crossroads Christian Church. Bethany loved Our Heavenly Father and Savior with all her heart. She spoke to Him daily and was teaching her daughter to love Jesus too.

Bethany is survived by her husband, Brent Skarke, their daughter, Caroline, her parents Chris and Debbe Free, her brother Tyler (Megan) and the two other best guys in her life, Tyler’s sons Dallas and Easton, grandfather Clyde Nipper, aunts LaDonna Earney, Barb Coleman (Derrick), Kathy Pashia (Brian), Sandra Brown (Dan), uncle Ron Nipper and many cousins that she loved with all her heart, special neighbors that were extended family to her, and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her Grandma Margaret Nipper, aunts Linda Nipper and Diane Nipper Mayberry, uncles Dennis Nipper and Billy Earney, and Grandmother Rose Free.

Our hearts are shattered by her passing. We will miss her everyday for the rest of our lives. Dance with the angels our sweet, sweet baby knowing you are free from cancer. Our cup runneth over.