Bettye Jo Lyons Gordon

A 5th generation Texan born on May 20, 1924 in Runge (Karnes County), Texas to Grace Russell and Alfred LaRue Lyons. She graduated from Kenedy High School in May 1941 and attended Texas Women's University in Denton. After Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, she returned home to work for the Texas Department of Public Welfare and was transferred to the state office in Austin. She met the love of her life, Herbert Gordon, at The Tavern on 12th Street and after a three week courtship, they married on August 26, 1945. They were married just short of sixty years when Herbert passed away in 2005. She recently relocated with her daughter to Fort Worth to be closer to family. She passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on December 23. She worked six sessions in the House of Representatives and one session in the Senate and then worked statewide campaigns for John Connally, four campaigns for Waggoner Carr for Attorney General and U.S. Senate, three campaigns for Preston Smith for Governor and proudly served on Governor Smith's Executive Staff. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Cofer, her granddaughter, Chesleigh Lloyd and husband, Blake and her most precious great grandson, B.A., of Fort Worth; her son, Matt Gordon and wife, Debbie of Austin, two grandsons, Greg Gordon of Huntsville and Garhett Gordon of Fort Worth; nieces, Betty Roeglin of Austin and Gail White and husband, Byrle and daughter, Payton of Sherman; and extended family, the Lloyds - Billy, Sheri, Sandy all of Fort Worth, Jill and Trey of San Antonio, and Kathryn of Liberty. She was a member of St. David's Episcopal Church, former member of the Headliners Club, Austin Club, Austin Assembly, Austin Country Club, Longhorn Foundation and a big U.T. fan. The family would like to give heartfelt thanks for the efforts of Dr. Robert Kerr of Austin and from Fort Worth, Dr. Ray Page, Dr. Bibas Reddy, Dr. Joseph Ortenberg, Dr. Eric Mims, Dr. Tracy Rukab, Dr. Vemula, Dr. George, Stephanie Guzman of Cardiovascular Home Health Care, the oncology nurses at Baylor All Saints and Hospice nurses Cliff and James. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th St., Austin. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Community Hospice of Fort Worth Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76107.