Born on Wednesday, July 13, 1932, Bettie Jo Holtzclaw Lance passed from this world at Katy, TX into the loving arms of Jesus on Friday, December 13, 2024. She was born in Maypearl, TX to John Thomas and Lois Marie (Binkley) Holtzclaw; the family resided in Maypearl, Kerrville, Alice, Ingleside, and Corpus Christi, TX. She grew up a true “tomboy” living in rural TX and was taught to fish and hunt by her dad.
Bettie met the love of her life while attending then-Corpus Christi High School (now Roy Miller HS), Lee Roy Lance Sr; they would graduate with the Class of 1949 and marry on January 22, 1950. They would raise three children and would live in both Sinton and Corpus Christi and have rural acreage near Three Rivers. While in Sinton, Bettie attended LVN training at Sinton Hospital and worked there for several years. She would later attend the School of Nursing at Del Mar College and become a Registered Nurse providing post-partum care to new mothers at Spohn Hospital until she retired. She was a member of the Order of the Easter Star and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Among her many interests over the years, she enjoyed Rock & Roll, Elvis and Eddie Arnold music; swimming (she was a certified Red Cross Aquatics Instructor & Lifeguard); scrapbooking; photography; and, sightseeing (around Texas, the USA, Europe, and even the Soviet Union). She and Lee Roy enjoyed manufacturing and decorating ceramics, motorcycle riding, and of late their monthly “Mexican Train” domino sessions with friends and looked forward to attending church each Sunday to be with their Lord and Savior.
Bettie Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Lee Roy Sr, and their son Jim Myron Lance. Her only sibling, Army Corporal John Martin “Jack” Holtzclaw was KIA in Korea in November 1950. She is survived by her two children Lee Roy [Linda] Lance Jr and Jeanette Ann Lance [Rodney] Keen, daughter in law Helen (Pollard) Lance; three grandsons, David [Amanda] Lance, Michael [Marriah] Lance and Rex Conrad Keen; and 6 great grandchildren – Amelia and Kyle Lance of Spring, TX, and McKenzie, Merritt, Myla and Maverick Lance of New Braunfels, TX. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren who thought the world of “Aunt Bettie”.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Funeraria Del Angel Everhart located at 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 from 11:00 pm until 1:30 pm. Graveside service will be a 2:00 pm at Memory Gardens Memorial Park located at 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to a Charity of your choice.
