Betty Jean McCarty McAnelly

Betty Jean McCarty McAnelly, 85 years a proud Texan and Austinite, died peacefully at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House on September 22, 2011 after a brief critical illness. She was born Betty Jean McCarty, on September 18, 1926 at her home of 1507 East 1st Street in Austin, Texas, the only child of Nona Ballinger McCarty and Thurber Mark McCarty. Betty graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1944 and from The University of Texas at Austin in 1948, with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. She was employed in early years by the University of Texas Ex-Students Association, University of Texas Testing & Guidance Center, Texas State Federation of Labor, Texas Employment Commission, and later years the Texas State Comptroller’s Office. In between, her primary life work for 25 years was that of a dedicated Mom. She married Robert Coleman McAnelly in August 1951. Bob served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force in WWII and worked for the State Board of Insurance until his untimely death in 1980. Betty & Bob lovingly raised three children while residing in Austin. Through her constant support and involvement in every possible avenue of her children's and grandchildren’s lives, Betty shared with each of them her strong faith, sense of responsibility, and love of education, books, and service.

Betty had a lifelong devotion to researching and promoting Texas and local history and genealogy, joining the William Barrett Travis Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 1958, she served as President, as well as State District Representative and Custodian General, with appointments to the Alamo Committee, Alamo Library Committee, DRT Museum Committee, and French Legation Committee. She was a devoted member and past-Regent of the Balcones Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, member and past-President of Oliver Hazard Perry Chapter of the United States Daughters of l8l2, member of Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, friend of the Jamestowne Society (Captain John Clay Company), and member of Clan Dunbar and Clan Donnachaidh. Betty was a life-member of Beta Sigma Phi service sorority and the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry, member of The Austin Woman’s Club, and former member of Scots of Austin, Austin Women's Federation, Heritage Society of Austin, Austin Genealogical Society, Friends of the Austin Public Library, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin Steam Train Association, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin History Center, Austin Antique Study Club, West Austin Neighborhood Group, Alpha Phi Mom’s Club, Austin Knife & Fork Club, and Pathfinders Club. She donated faithfully to over 50 charities.

Betty was a life-member of the University of Texas Ex-Students Association and took great pride in her "orange-blooded" Longhorn heritage. She was a life-long supporter of all Texas Longhorns, the UT Business School, and an enthusiastic Longhorn football season ticket holder. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, a member of the Vota Vita Sunday School Class and First Baptist Choir, and active supporter of the Baptist Community Center and Women's Missionary Union; she was also briefly a member of Hyde Park Baptist Church.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Robert C. McAnelly. She is survived by daughter Carol McAnelly Johnson and husband Neal of Austin, son Robert Dennis McAnelly and wife Suzanne of Independence, MO, daughter Phyllis McAnelly Barron and husband Craig of Austin, and 4 beautiful grandchildren: Ryan Christopher Johnson, Kirsten Bethany Johnson, Brittany Elizabeth Johnson, and Jordan Benjamin Barron.

The family wishes to express special gratitude to Dr. Frank Robinson and staff for their care through the years, to the staff of the Summit Westlake Healthcare Center (special thanks to Sabrina & Florence) and the staff of Heritage Gaines Ranch Assisted Living (special thanks to Mary & Lisa) for their compassionate care.

Family Visitation will be on Monday, the third of October from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening and the funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, the fourth of October at one o’clock in the afternoon, both at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, First Baptist Church Austin, or to the charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com