Betty Joan Nelson

Betty Joan (Neil) Nelson was born on October 15, 1940 to Vernon Ralph Neil and Willie Bell Baker. She and her older sister Barbara Call were raised in East Dallas. After school, she worked in accounting as she cared for her four children. Later in life, she found her match, and married Ralph Nelson, to whom she was married for over 30 years. Betty was a caretaker, and she always took care of Ralph, her children and grandchildren, and her animals. Betty enjoyed sewing and needlepoint, and using her green thumb to keep her yard and garden one of the nicest in the neighborhood. Described by her family as always loving and selfless, Betty was the primary care taker of her mother, her son Matt and Ralph while they were ill.

Following a brief illness, Betty passed away of her own accord on October 18.2016, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Willie Neil; her husband Ralph; her sons, Matt and Mark Barnett; and her beloved dogs, "Mini", "Jumper", and "Prissy". Betty’s caring spirit will continue to be remembered by her children: Elizabeth Kane of Little Elm; Bill Barnett and his wife Holli of Dallas: Aunt Gwen Feigel of Lewisville; her six grand- children: Sharlie Mejia, Michael Kane, Jefferey Barnett, Melody Shaw, Kris Vleck, and Farren Barnett; and seven great-grandchildren: Mandaline and Lainie Vossler, Julius and Claire Mejia, Elexus, Evelyn and Jeff, Jr. Barnett; and of course, her fur-babies, Corky and Punk.