Betty Canavespi Sprague

Betty Lee Canavespi Sprague was born on January 4, 1932 in Bryan, Texas to Betty Varisco Canavespi and Leonard (Lee) Joseph Canavespi. She was known as Betty Lee to her family and friends. Betty Lee attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan and graduated in 1948. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Texas State College for Women (now Texas Women’s University) in 1952. Betty Lee returned to Bryan and worked at the Agricultural Extension Service on the campus of Texas A&M University. It was during this time that she met her loving husband of 57 years, Charles Robert Sprague.

While Charles was on active duty with the United States Army, Betty Lee and Charles had the opportunity to live in several places in the United States and in France, where their son, David Sprague, was born. After Charles retired from active duty, the family settled in Houston, Texas in 1972. Betty Lee was a long-time member of St. Jerome’s Catholic church in Houston, where she volunteered her time with the St. Vincent De Paul Society and regularly attended Bible studies. She was a loving wife and loving mother to three sons, Bobby, David and Mark.

Betty Lee was preceded in death by her husband Charles R. Sprague, her parents Lee J. and Betty Canavespi, her brother Victor Canavespi, and son, David Sprague.

She is survived by her son, Bobby Sprague of Bryan, Texas, who has been her primary caregiver for several years, her son Mark Sprague and his wife Lelia M. Sprague of Houston, Texas, and her beloved granddaughter, Lelia Cameron Sprague.

Betty Lee died on December 29, 2022, just six days shy of her 91st Birthday. We believe she will be celebrating that day in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, surrounded by all of the family and friends that passed before her. In that we take comfort, although we will greatly miss her.

A visitation for Betty Lee will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1515 South College Avenue, Bryan, Texas 77801. A rosary service will occur Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM, 1515 South College Avenue, Bryan, Texas 77801. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St Anthony's Catholic Church, 401 S Parker Ave, Bryan, Texas 77803. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.