Betty Moore Schanbaum

Betty Gene Moore Schanbaum, cherished wife, mother, Maw Maw, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on November 29, 2023, at her home in San Antonio, Texas. Betty was born on April 6, 1945, in Phoenix, Arizona to H.B. and Artie Lee Moore and spent her formative years in Jonesboro, Arkansas and surrounding areas where she developed a profound love for the arts and community service.

Betty was a Christian of the Baptist Faith and proud alumnae of the high school in the town of Dixie Arkansas, graduating in 1963. She later became a mother to Kelly Wayne Ragsdale and Nicole Leigh Ragsdale in the 1960s when married to Wayne Douglas Ragsdale. In October 1990, Betty married the love of her life, Dean Schanbaum from Dallas, Texas. In their 33 years of marriage, Betty and Dean played an integral part in the raising of their beloved grandchildren, Alissa, and Austin, often living close by them in San Diego, California, before eventually moving to San Antonio, Texas in 2005. Betty would eventually spend her final days in her dream home surrounded by friends and family and watching the deer play in her backyard.

Betty’s career was a unique blend of her passion for theatre and craftsmanship as a master seamstress. For a span of more than 35 years, she crafted stage curtains for theatres in San Diego, California as founder and owner of “That’s Sew Business”. As her business grew, her intricate work brought joy to numerous audiences and became an integral part of the theatre scene wherever she lived. Her work included the grand curtain at San Antonio’s Majestic Theater, The Jonesboro Forum, and The Collins Theater in Paragould, among many others. Her work will live on in legacy throughout theater communities across the U.S. for years to come.

Betty was renowned for her kind-heartedness, gentle disarming spirit, compassion and unwavering commitment to her work and community. She easily made good friends everywhere she went and hosted the best parties and events as a cornerstone of precious memories for family and friends alike. She leaves behind a legacy of service, creativity, and love. She had dozens of nieces and nephews from both sides of the family who will always revere her as the “favorite aunt” because of her fun-loving spirit and because she was a trusted confidant. She always brought the most fun to every gathering, while also being there to support many family members in their times of need.

A lover of plants and gardening, Betty cared for a living plant that her mother, Artie Lee, had planted and nurtured since 1972. She was a master storyteller with an infectious laugh while reminiscing about her days working in the cotton patches around Dixie and Lake City, Arkansas, and her cheerleading days. Betty hailed from a large family that included her brothers, Ralph, Red, Olen, Curt, Amos, and her sisters, Ethel, and Jeanette. She is survived by her loving husband, Dean Schanbaum of the home, son, Kelly Ragsdale of Walker, Louisiana, daughter, Nicole Ragsdale Parker of Soddy Daisy, TN, granddaughter Alissa Whitaker of the home and grandson, Austin Haneline of Soddy Daisy, TN as well as numerous brothers and sisters in law, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her absence will be deeply felt by all those who had the honor of knowing and loving her.

Family and friends are invited to a private “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, January 20, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Contact: [email protected]

Lasting memorials can be made to the charity of your choosing, in her memory.