Betty Jean Clary

Betty was born in San Antonio, Tx on July 20, 1928. She was the oldest child of Bowden W. and Evelyn Conrads Wilson. Betty was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend for 92 years. Betty grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Brackenridge High School at age 16. She attended Junior College in San Antonio and received her BS in Education from the University of Texas. While attending UT, she met Earl Martin Clary, her future husband. After graduation, she returned to San Antonio and taught elementary school for one year. In 1949, Earl was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church and accepted the call as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Natchitoches, La. During this year, Earl would often drive from Louisiana to San Antonio to visit his future bride. He would leave on Friday in time to pick up Betty from school, spend Friday evening and Saturday morning in San Antonio and then head home to preach on Sunday morning. Betty and Earl married in San Antonio on June 10, 1950. After a honeymoon to the Davis Mountains, Earl returned to Natchitoches with his new bride. Earl and Betty spent the next 69 years together. On July 30, 1951, oldest son David joined the family and Richard followed on June 11, 1953. In 1955, Earl accepted a call to pastor at Colorado City, Tx. Daughter Linda joined the family on May 22, 1957. In 1958, Earl accepted the call at First Presbyterian Church in Wharton Tx where they spent the next 30 years. While living in Wharton, Betty and Earl were involved in church activities, community events and supporting the activities of their three children. They never missed any concerts, sports events or other activities that David, Richard or Linda were participating in. After her children were all in school, Betty returned to teaching, first at Wharton Junior High and then at Canton Street Elementary School. She taught Reading and Math for more than 20 years. Betty retired in 1988 and Earl retired in 1989 and the couple made the move to San Antonio to the same area where Betty grew up. Shortly after moving to San Antonio, Earl became the Interim Pastor at Bethany Presbyterian Church. This was the same church that Betty grew up in and where they were married. There would be one more church that Earl and Betty served. For approximately 20 years, once a month, Earl and Betty would drive 90 miles to Cotulla, Tx. Earl would preach the sermon and Betty would play the piano. After the service, they would usually be taken out to eat and then they would drive the 90 miles back to San Antonio. Betty and Earl had a love of travel and camping. They traveled all over the country and Canada visiting every state except Rhode Island and Hawaii and if you could drive to Hawaii, they would have gone there, too. One of their favorite trips was to Alaska. They took this trip as a caravan of three RVs with two other couples. They were faithful members of the Highland Lakes Good Sam RV Club and attended monthly campouts. Betty and Earl also loved to play games. Two of their favorites were JOKER and Uphill Downhill. They enjoyed getting together with their friends for game nights. In 2014, Betty and Earl sold their home and moved into the Meadows at Morningside Ministries in San Antonio. They enjoyed living there for two years. In 2016, they moved to Country Oaks Assisted Living in Burnet Tx where they lived for the next year. In 2017, they made their final move to CelesteCare Assisted Living in Horseshoe Bay, Tx. On October 26, 2019, Earl went to Heaven to await Betty’s arrival. Betty joined him on January 25, 2021, at the age of 92. Betty and Earl made many friends during their lifetime and there certainly was a joyous reunion of family and friends when she arrived in Heaven. Betty Jean is survived by her sons, David Clary (Trish), & Richard Clary; and daughter Linda Pierce (Joe); and her grandchildren, Kathleen Clary Morgan, Christopher Clary (Tina), Hayley Clary, Evan Clary; and great grandson, Daniel Morgan. The family would like to express much gratitude and thanks for the care givers at CelesteCare for the special care and love that they received while living there. Betty and Earl will be greatly missed by their family and friends until we all reunite in Heaven. Due to COVID restrictions, you may view the livestreaming of her service below.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021

1:00 PM

MISSION BURIAL PARK SOUTH

The Rev. Charlie Cropper will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Wharton, TX, where Betty served alongside Earl for 30 years.