Betty Garner Penley

Born in Detroit, Texas, Betty was the daughter of Jolly Garner and Myrtle Ritchie Garner. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Jessie Thompson; her loving husband, P.A. Penley; and her daughter-in-law, Patricia Penley. Betty descended from two Texas pioneer families with deep historical roots. Her grandfather, William Taylor Ritchie, was killed during Pancho Villa’s raid on Columbus, New Mexico, in 1916. Her father, Jolly, was the youngest of seven children, and among his siblings was Betty’s uncle, John Nance Garner, who served as the 32nd Vice President of the United States.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Carol Penley of Lakeway; her son, Stephen Garner Penley of Corpus Christi; her grandson, Mark Boomgaarden and wife Samantha; her granddaughter, Roxanne Childers and husband Scott; her granddaughter, Brooke Meris; and her great-grandchildren, Abigail and Paige Boomgaarden, Pamela Childers, and Sloan Meris.

Betty graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. In June 1944, she married her college sweetheart, P.A. After P.A. returned from World War II service, they moved to Austin while P.A. finished his Engineering studies at the University of Texas. Together they began a life marked by faith, service, friendship, and devotion to family.

Betty made many lasting friends in all of the seven corporate transfers made during P.A.’s working career. During those years, she was a church secretary, teacher, Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout leader, and longtime volunteer for the American Red Cross. In Corpus Christi she served as Coordinator of Red Cross Volunteers at the Naval Regional Hospital, and while in Ecuador during P.A.’s volunteer assignment with the International Executive Service Corp. following his retirement, she volunteered with the Ecuadorian Red Cross, representing the American Red Cross.

Settling in Lakeway for retirement, Betty was an officer in both the Lakeway Women’s Club and the Nine Hole Golf Group, as well as an active member of the Lakeway Church, serving on the Library and Missions Committees and was a devoted member of the Searchers Sunday School Class.

After moving to Longhorn Village in 2010, Betty formed many new and treasured friendships, continuing to live with grace, service, and devotion to others. She will be remembered for her kindness, gracious spirit, and genuine gift for making others feel welcomed and valued.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Lakeway Church, 2203 Lakeway Blvd. in Lakeway, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lakeway Church or to a charity of your choice.