Frances "Betty" Elizabeth Hull

Born in Houston on the 5th of October 1933, to Elizabeth Jennings Shaw and Cyrus Hufsmith Shaw, Betty grew up in the Humble Oil Camp near the oil patch where her father worked. When her mother contracted polio, Betty and her sister Carolyn were sent to live and attend school at Incarnate Word Convent in Bellaire. After reuniting with their parents, the family moved to nearby Tomball, Texas. Betty graduated from Tomball High School and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in education from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas.

Betty dedicated over 30 years to teaching elementary school in Anaheim, California; Suitland, Maryland; Spring Branch and Houston school districts. She was devoted to her profession and her students. She didn’t just teach, she instilled a lifelong passion for learning in her students, a passion that she believed would carry them beyond their school years. She often received visits from former students, and it was not uncommon for them to bring their own children to meet “Mrs. Hull,” eager to introduce them to the teacher who had made such a lasting impact on their lives. She saw the unique potential in each child and never failed to remember her former students’ names. Her ability to remember and care for each student was a testament to her profound dedication to them and her genuine love of teaching.

Betty lived in her family home for almost 60 years. It was a home filled with warmth and kindness, in a neighborhood where lasting friendships were forged with beloved neighbors and local business owners, each of whom she cherished. She was active in her neighborhood civic club and was a friendly face at the polls on election days for decades. A longtime parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Betty treasured her Bible study group, where she also formed many dear and meaningful friendships over the years.

Weekends on the west end of Galveston Island brought her joy, especially beach combing with her children. Betty loved her azaleas, spending countless hours in her yard, chatting with neighbors, and caring for any stray cat that was fortunate enough to cross her path. A lifelong baseball fan, she learned to keep a scorebook as a child while her father managed the Humble Camp team. As an Astros fan, she was thrilled to see her favorite team win two World Series titles. In honor of her lifelong passion, and her favorite team, she chose to wear an Astros jersey in perpetuity.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Carolyn Carney (Winnsboro, Texas). She is survived by her husband, Fred Hull Sr.; her son, Fred Hull Jr., and his wife, Catherine Hull; her grandchildren, Ethan and Aidan Nancy Hull; her son, Jamie Hull; her daughter, Anne Hess, and her husband, James Hess; her grandchildren, Colin and Stephen Hess; her beloved niece, Elizabeth Crimmins, and nephew, Jay Carney, and their beautiful families; as well as her cousins, Karen Berndtson Reigel and Gerry Dyer Johnson, a lifelong and loyal friend to Betty.

Betty will forever be remembered for her grace and warmth and for embracing whatever she was doing with enthusiasm and joy. She showed us the importance of caring for one another, making everyone she met feel special and loved. She truly cared. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the devoted caretakers who provided Betty with compassionate care, support, and friendship.

A Memorial Mass to commend her soul to the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 13th of August 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where Father Peter Wood is to officiate.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to “Special Pals,” a beacon of hope for homeless animals in Houston, 3830 Greenhouse Rd. Houston, Texas 77084 or by visiting online at specialpals.org/donations.

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