On November 6, 2023, Bettie Lee (Stephens) Sharp went to be with our Lord after a long battle with cancer. Bettie would have been 87 on her birthday of November 9. Visitation will be held from 6-8PM on Friday, November 10 at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Services for Bettie will be held at 10AM on Saturday, November 11 at First Baptist Church in Bangs.
Bettie was born in Lubbock, Texas to Stafford and Mamie Stephens. The family moved to Trickham where her father worked on the family farm. She and her siblings attended school at Brooksmith.
Bettie was married to Robert Lee Sharp in 1956. She began her married life as the wife of a Navy man. Later, Bettie and Robert returned to Texas and became house parents for troubled and disadvantaged children in San Antonio. In April of 1965, they decided to leave the South Texas Children’s Home to adopt a child of their own and Joella Kay was brought into the family. Just two short years later, Gregory Lee was also adopted. When Bettie’s children were young, it was usual for women to stay home with the children while the husband worked. Bettie was an exceptional wife and mother. She cared deeply for her family, volunteered at her church, gardened, was a seamstress and helped out at the school where her husband worked. She always showed a kind heart to her neighbors and friends and could be counted on to bring a meal to those in need. As the children grew, Bettie became a secretary and book keeper, working tirelessly to provide opportunities for them.
In recent years, Bettie was known to gently boast about her grand-daughters whom she greatly loved and adored, Ashley and Marilyn, and her great-granddaughter, Julia Rose. She was known to carry a photo of their most recent activities and would gladly show them off! Bettie was very fond of her son-in-law, Kelly and his children Emily, Cutty, Maggie, Tessa and the great-grandbabies, Penelope and Olivia. During the past two years, Bettie lived with Kelly and Joella near San Antonio where she sought cancer treatment. It was in those difficult months that Bettie cherished the love of being in close proximity to her family.
It is especially noteworthy that Bettie had many friends and family in the Bangs area. She enjoyed making time for a girl’s lunch out, a quiet visit with coffee on the patio and even to vacation with cherished friends. Bettie gave back to the community by volunteering at the First Baptist Church, working in the kitchen and serving the congregation in as many ways as she could. You could also catch her at the local high school football and basketball games! Bettie rarely missed watching a Cowboys football game on TV or cheering for the Spurs! She will be greatly missed by many.
Bettie was predeceased by her husband, Robert Sharp; her son, Gregory Sharp; her sister, Wanda Weatherman; her brother, Otis Stephens and her parents, Stafford and Mamie Stephens. She is survived by her daughter, Joella Young; son-in-law, Kelly Young; her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
