Dr. Betty Wright, the beloved aunt of nieces and nephews, passed away in peace Sunday December 10th.
Betty was born to teach; her first teaching position was Physical Education in Texas City high school over 60 years ago where she taught tennis and archery, swimming and baseball, and more. A 1959 hurricane led her to move to Austin where she taught high school Health Education and contributed a chapter to the state’s Health Education textbook. While teaching in Austin, she earned her doctorate – the first of her family – at the University of Texas and became a professor at TX State University in San Marcos from 1969-1985. She was a devoted teacher and loved encouraging young teachers. After retiring from the University she became an admired master picture framer for South Texas artists.
She moved to Wimberley with her dear friend Elizabeth Stillman in the early 70’s when it was a tiny town. Betty was always proud of Wimberley’s growth: schools, art, music and drama, but especially the growth of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. The WimDems which she was key in founding, the always beautiful Bible Babes, and her many friends kept her young and active and happy well into her 80s.
Betty spent her life devoted to improving the world. She was generous, caring and sharing to all exhibited, in part, by the many students who stayed in touch with her after graduation.
Wimberley and St. Stephen’s are strong and loved by Betty’s family who spent much time with her in the town she adored as home.
Betty’s final year was spent in Fort Worth at Legend Assisted Living to be close to her devoted family.
Dr. Wright was the youngest of her generation and was preceded in death by her sister Mary Connell, the poet, and brother Jim Wright II, Speaker of the House, and her lifelong companion, Elizabeth Stillman. Betty is survived by her nieces and nephews and their families, who are bursting with love and amazing memories of our Beany.
Funeral service will be held at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wimberley Friday, January 5th at 10AM. A Celebration of Life Reception will follow at Old Glory Ranch.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home in San Marcos, Texas.
