Elizabeth Louise "Betty" Workman

Betty Workman went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, the 3rd of June 2022, at 103 years old. She was welcomed home by loved ones long since departed and many friends. Betty was born in Dallas on the 6th of July 1918, to Prather H. Brown and Maude Louise Muse Brown. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1935 at 17 and enrolled at SMU where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. It was at SMU where she met and married “the love of her life” William S. Moore Jr. While Bill was practicing law Betty worked as a model and salesperson at Harris Brother’s Department stores in Dallas.

In 1940, she and Bill moved to Houston and started a family. They welcomed Michael Muse Moore in 1942 and Allen Prather Blackburn Moore in 1946. A lifelong Episcopalian she became active at Trinity Episcopal Church, and she continued that devotion throughout her life helping to found several Episcopal churches in Houston, in addition to being active with the Altar Guild of St. Francis Episcopal Church. In 1950, the family moved to Dallas where she became involved in Republican politics actively participating in the election of the first Republican congressman from Texas since reconstruction days. This led to her lifelong interest in politics.

In 1956, the family was transferred back to Houston. They settled into the Memorial area, where Betty became the first President of the Memorial Forest Garden Club and was later elected as the first woman President of the Memorial Forest Civic Club.

In 1958 Betty, Bill and their youngest son Allen were in a tragic car accident, and Betty was the only survivor.

With her strong faith in GOD Betty picked herself up and became a part time realtor and worked for the Highland Village Bank. Betty was briefly married to Charlie Atkinson for 5 years before he passed away in an automobile accident.

Betty persevered through this loss and decided to become a volunteer at St Luke’s Hospital. She became active in the Harris County Republican Party, as well as President of the Memorial chapter of the Delphian Society, while participating in the daily operations of her beauty salon.

Betty remarried in 1974 to A. Eugene (Gene) Workman. They relocated to Virginia for 5 years. Upon their return, Betty and Gene joined St Martins Episcopal Church. Betty remained active in the church after Gene’s passing in 1987.

At St. Martin’s she was an active member of the Saintly Stitchers. This group devoted their time to making kneelers as well as Christmas decorations and a nativity scene for President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush. Betty was invited to make the presentations at the White House. Betty was celebrated at St Martins as their oldest parishioner. Additionally, she coordinated and organized many trips for the OPUS (Old People Up to Something) group, as well as attending her regular Sunday school and bible study classes.

In 2005, Betty embarked on a new journey and moved into Eagles Trace community, which she absolutely loved. She was the oldest resident in that community having lived there for 17 years. While there she received numerous recognitions for her volunteer work, which included Co-Founding the 90+ Club, organizing the outside the county Travel group, and involvement in the Wine Club.

Due to her love of cooking and food pairings, she served several terms on the Food board at Eagles Trace as well as the Randall’s Food Advisory board.

Betty is survived by her son, Michael M. Moore; grandchildren, Meredith and Kirk Sanford, Michelle and Kenneth Zagorski, Joanne and Matt Gonzales, Alicia Wakefield, John and Marie Wakefield; 13 great grandchildren; cousins Evelyn Smith, Bo Brown, Jack and Deanna Brown, Gilbert and Linda Brown, Beverly Cox, and Sandra Peck; and numerous friends.

The family would especially like to thank her caregivers Dinia Asencio, Veronica Martinez, Veronica M. Salmeron and Ana Mendoza for the tender, loving care they gave “mama”.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past five o’clock in the afternoon until half-past seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 23rd of June, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A funeral service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 24th of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, where the Rev. John R. Bentley is to officiate.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Betty’s honor be directed to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX, 77056; to Eagles Trace Residence Care Fund, 1401 Highway 6 South, Houston, TX, 77077; or to the charity of one’s choice.