Bette Sue Washburn

Bette Sue Smith Washburn, 87, of The Woodlands TX, passed away Sunday, 8/13/2023 at home surrounded by family. A memorial service to celebrate Bette’s life will be held on September 15th, 2023 at 1:00 PM, in the Robb Chapel at The Woodlands Methodist Church located at 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380. Reception to follow.

Bette was born September 19, 1935, in Waco, TX, to Leonard and Leaffa Cooper Smith of Smith Bend. The 5th of 6 kids (5 of them girls), her early life was spent at the family farmhouse where her father raised cattle. The family moved to Galena Park, TX when Bette was a teen and she graduated from Galena Park High School in 1954. After graduation, Bette attended Sam Houston Teacher’s College before going to work at Tenneco Oil in downtown Houston.

Bette met her future husband, Larry, at the Galena Park Pool, when he was home for summer from Texas A&M, where he was in the Corp of Cadets. The two were married on 7/14/1956 after Larry’s graduation and commissioning into the Air Force.

The couple spent time in France and Germany while Larry was on active duty, with both girls, Kim & Kristi being born while in Europe. They then returned to Texas, where their son Russ was born and subsequently moved, to Oakland then Danville, CA completing their family of 4 when their son, Kelly was born. Bette loved living in California and stayed active helping in her children’s classrooms and driving them to after school activities. She enjoyed traveling to the Sierra Nevada mountains to ski, going to San Francisco, as well other California destinations.

The family returned to Texas, in 1978, when Larry joined the family business and moved to The Woodlands in 1987. During this time, Bette worked for the Harris County Parks Department in Houston and was most proud of helping secure a large land donation that subsequently became The Mercer Arboretum. Now back in Texas, Bette especially looked forward to the Smith Sister Getaways, with her 4 sisters and sister-in-law, Betty Ann. The 6 would go places like Galveston Beach or the TX Hill Country, but most importantly, they just enjoyed being together.

Bette and Larry joined The Woodlands Methodist Church in 1987 and Bette was an active member of Community Bible Study (CBS) at the church for many years, also serving on the CBS leadership team. Bette deepened her faith on spiritual journeys to the Holy Land and a Cathedral and Church Historical tour in France. Bette lived out her faith in words and actions. In addition, as a couple they were generous donors to various TWMC capital campaigns which helped the church expand to its current campus and plant a church at Woodforest, actively living out their faith.

In retirement, they traveled extensively and also enjoyed their summer home in Alto, NM for 17 years.

Bette is survived by her husband of 67 years, Larry C. Washburn; her four children, Kimberlee Washburn Flint (Tim), Kristi Washburn Liberatore (Alan), Russ Washburn (Terri) and Kelly Washburn; and her sisters, Thetus Anne Smith Duncan (Charles) and Sandra Smith Turner (Mike). Bette is also survived by her five grandchildren, Stephanie Steelman (Chyrum), Charles Steelman (Alicia), Rachel Liberatore Harlan (Ryan), Sarah Liberatore (Kyle) and Sakura Washburn; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Barbara Smith Alexander (Thomas) and Loeene Smith Nelson (Gerald); her brother, Donald L. Smith (Betty Ann); and her daughter-in-law, Makiko T. Washburn.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests, with gratitude, that memorial gifts be made to The American Cancer Society, Friends of Mercer Botanical Gardens/The Mercer Society or a charity of your choosing.

Please share your fond memories and kind expressions of sympathy for the Washburn family at forestparkthewoodlands.com.

Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home is honored to serve this family.