We each might have called Betty Ruth Hammer Lemmons different things. To some she was Mom, Mamaw, or Aunt Betty. She was a wife, sister, daughter & friend. And to close family on the rare occasion she could be Bossy Betty, Candy Mom, or The Griz. But one thing she was to all who knew her was loving. It grew from her faith in Jesus and desire to follow His example. It showed in her kind words, her excitement to see you, and her desire to share your joy. Most of all, her love was always reflected in her smile.
Betty was born May 21, 1936, in Graham, Oklahoma to Bud Hammer and Ruth Sapp Hammer. She had one brother, Larry Hammer, whom she adored. She grew up in Oklahoma where she met Walter Lemmons. They were married September 1, 1952 and the following year they started their own family. They had 3 boys, Perry Walter, Paul Allen & Michael Wray before moving to Texas and finally getting their little girl, Mary Ruth.
Even though she didn’t work outside the home, Betty took her job as a caretaker seriously and was constantly serving others. She did what she could to make life easier for those around her. This went beyond the needs of her children. She took in her in-laws as they aged and battled cancer; at one point eight family members shared their three-bedroom home. It was important to Betty that those around her didn’t feel alone and knew they were loved. She would often sit with friends in their homes or at the hospital to keep them company.
Betty knew family was important and prioritized it in her daily life. Lake trips full of water skiing and camping were most common. Once her grandchildren were born, she made sure to continue the tradition of quality time with family to build those relationships and memories. She spent many hours around a table with those grandkids playing Uno and Skip Bo, doing crafts and feeding them sweet treats. She attended every event she could, despite the travel time or frequency of events with 10 grandchildren. From the audience or stands of every game or recital she attended, you could hear her proud “Woo Woo” cheer and knew she was lugging around that heavy VHS Camera.
After Walter's death in 2002, Betty was devastated but she knew that she was at her best when serving others. She became actively involved in the Grief Recovery group at her church, Legacy Church of Christ. This is where she met Joel Amyett in 2004 and they became fast friends. They continued serving together, taking others to their doctor’s appointments, or picking up groceries. Of course, this meant they'd have to eat a meal together. If you knew anything about Betty, you knew she enjoyed going to restaurants with others. For the 12 years before Joel passed, he gave Betty what she gave to others: kindness, love and companionship. He also shared his family with her which she loved.
In 2020, during the pandemic, Betty moved to Louisville, Kentucky into “The BeeHive” to be near her daughter. God sent caregiver Victoria Brown to help love and care for Betty alongside her family and they became dear friends.
Even on her roughest days, all the way to the end, Betty continued to exude love and show her sweet smile.
Betty Lemmons passed away peacefully on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the age of 86.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Ruth Hammer, her brother, Larry Hammer, her husband, Walter Lemmons, and her granddaughter, Deidre Lemmons.
She leaves behind her 4 children: Perry (Kathy) Lemmons, Paul (Debbie) Lemmons, Mike (Donna) Lemmons, Mary (Kevin) Lee,10 grandchildren: Jenny (Scott) Magic, Kendra (Travis) McLarty, Magan (Justin) West, Erin Lemmons, Matt (Dani) Lemmons, Valerie (Jim) Wren, Beth (James) Stevens, Chris (Megan) Lee, Bryce Lemmons, Jessica (Mike) Daffan
And 14 great-grandchildren: Kyle & Luke West, Oliver & Ian Magic, Ryleigh & Reagan McLarty, Waylon, Weston, Sylver, & Warren Stevens, Dash & Merritt Wren, and Walker & Wyatt Lemmons.
Take a look at that sweet smile over the years: https://photos.app.goo.gl/czWxCxhBzWP5jibd9
A visitation for Betty will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Legacy Church of Christ, 8801 Mid Cities Blvd, North Richland Hills, TX 76182. A graveside service will occur Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034.
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