Betty Ann McGilvray

Betty Ann Covey was born in Williams, Oklahoma, November 14, 1939, to her parents Fred and Mildred Covey, in her grandparent’s home, delivered by her grandmother and her great aunt. She moved with her family to Tyler, Texas during WWII years and to Baytown when she was in the 2nd grade.

Betty Ann graduated from Lee High School in 1958 where she was in the Hall of Fame, President of the Brigadiers, Choir, Tri-Hi-Y President, Interclub Council President, and Senator at the State Convention. She graduated from Lee College where she was Outstanding Woman in Sports, and wrote columns for The Lantern and The Baytown Sun.

She was married to her wonderful husband, Jim McGilvray, for 49 years. He helped her raise her two sons, Craig DeWayne Hester and David Jay Hester and is survived by them and their families: Sherri Schmidt; Andrea Hester and their three children Kendall David Hester, Alexandra Grace Ballard, and Claire Olivia Hester – her wonderful grandchildren.

She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Todd and Royette Crawley and family, Steffani Crawley and Steve Hoover, and her god-daughters Sara Allen Abbott and Kate Allen Stukenburg, along with their families and many friends and relatives in Texas and Oklahoma. She is pre-deceased by her parents, her younger sister Nellie Covey Crawley Davis and her older brother, Fred C. Covey, Jr., Ph.D.

Betty was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church. Her commitment and dedication to her faith and her church date back to First Presbyterian on Market St. In her service to the church, she was an Elder, Deacon, Lay Reader, Clerk of Session, Stephen Ministy Leader, CARE Committee, Chancel Choir, Handbells, and playing piano for the Celebration Singers. Betty taught Sunday School, served on Member Care committee, and assisted with bereaved families. She enjoyed writing notes to church friends and family during times of celebration or sorrow.

Betty proudly supported and served on the Board of the Baytown Symphony, Baytown Little Theater, Thursday Book Review Club, Lee College Foundation, the Wetlands Center and Nature Center, the U.S. Olympics, as well as her grandchildren’s schools: Trinity Lutheran School, Concordia High School, Ole Miss and Samford University.

Betty treasured her role as mother and grandmother. She and Jim spent many hours baby-sitting, going to sports events/tournaments, dance recitals, grandparents’ day, baking cookies, going on vacations, playing music, singing, and being a friend to many. Betty was an avid fan of all Sports and an accomplished pianist.

Jim and the family would like to give special thanks to Betty's caretakers: Monica, Brenda, and Meryl, who talked, sang and prayed with her over the past few months.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Faith Presbyterian Church in Baytown, TX. In lieu of flowers , please consider donating to the Building Fund at Faith Presbyterian.