Betty Lyn Bear Dees

Betty Lyn Bear Dees, 77, of Austin, Texas on July 9, 2007, has gone home to be face to face with the Lord, “to a place of no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain, no more death, the old things of this world have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Born on March 1, 1930 to George Vest and Ruby Wilkinson Bear in Donna, Texas she was an avid reader, a patron of the arts, and an active volunteer in her community. She is survived by her children: Robert Dees and wife, Anna Messner of Palo Alto, California; Gayle Dees Millburg and husband, Leo of Evanston, Wyoming; David Dees of Sherman, Texas; Christopher Dees and wife, Kelley of Houston, Texas; Brian Dees and wife, Julie of Austin, Texas. Grandchildren: Max Dees, Alex Dees; Anneliese Millburg Werner and husband Brian; Ivy Millburg Wentzheimer and husband, Ed; John Millburg, Catherine Millburg; Micah Dees and his mother, Lori Dees; Trent Dees, William Dees, John Dees; Parker Dees, Hudson Dees. Great Grandson: Austin Werner. Dear friend and house-mate: June Sportsman. Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, George Bear of Corpus Christi, Texas and her sister, Angee Ray of Alamogordo, New Mexico and grand daughter, Tanara Millburg. Betty graduated from the University of Texas and has traveled extensively living in Ft. Worth, Texas, Tehran, Iran, Trinidad and Tobago, Cairo, Egypt and Chicago, Illinois before returning to her home in Austin. In addition to her role as mother to five children, she worked as a physical education teacher for the American schools overseas and more recently as an administrative assistant at the University of Texas in the Chemistry Department. She has been active in various organizations including the Amoco American Wives’ Club, numerous book clubs, and the Bass Performing Arts Center in Austin. She was a volunteer with the Seton Auxiliary at Seton Northwest and Seton Medical Center as well as a member and volunteer of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of the ICU and 5th floor South at Seton Medical Center for their gracious and patient care for Betty in her final days. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, Texas 78759 (512.345.8314) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2007, with a reception to follow in the church parish hall. Burial committal will follow at Waco Memorial Park in Waco, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Seton Fund at 1201 W 38th St. Austin, Texas in memory of Betty L. Dees, which will be put to good use in the building of the new Pavilion that will house the new wing for mothers and babies and other purposes. Donations can also be made online at: https://www.setonfund.org Acts 16:31 –“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”