Betty Deshazo

Our loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and aunt passed away at her home in Neill’s arms and holding her Bible in Conroe TX, June 28, 2014, after a long illness. Born in New Albany, MS. October 13, 1944, Betty was preceded in passing by her parents Robert and Vallie Matlock Smithey and her beloved little sister Barbara Ann Smithey.

She is survived by her husband Neill, of Conroe TX; daughter Shelley Huettel also of Conroe; son,Sterling DeShazo (Kristi) of Austin,TX; Step-sons Robert DeShazo,Jr.(Wanda) of Magnolia TX and Cameron DeShazo(Megan) of Jackson MS. Also sister Joyce Dunkin (George) of Saulsbury, TN; Brothers Bobby Smithey (Jan) of Leesburg, FL, and Gerald Smithey (Bonnie) of Memphis, TN. Betty was the loving grandmother and “Nonnie” to 11 Grandchildren and Step Grandchildren: Shea Shatto, Phoenix, AZ; Richie Huettel of Austin, TX; Sterling II, Landon and Makenna DeShazo of Austin, TX;

Robert Neill DeShazo III, of College Station, TX, Will DeShazo of Magnolia, TX; Ellie, Mia, Duncan, and Cameron DeShazo, Jr. of Jackson, MS.

Aunt Betty had 43 nieces,nephews,great nieces,and great nephews in 6 states.

Also mourning their loss; Betty’s Monday Bible Study class at the Regency in the Forest community; and her best friend and “Shopping Buddy”, Penny Katzoff. Moving to east Memphis as a little girl, Betty graduated from Overton High School where she was Basketball Queen.

She attended Memphis State University and soon thereafter met Shelley’s’ dad Jim Bryson. As a young couple they followed Jims’ construction work in Ca., NV, and TX. Returning to Memphis, Betty worked as a bank teller and book keeper. She followed her Brother in law, Larry Reyes, a Top Fuel Drag racer, around the country and was pictured in Hot Rod Magazine with the racing team. Stricken by severe rheumatoid arthritis as a young woman, Betty would fight this disease the remainder of her life. As a single Mom, Betty rebuilt her life and became a top selling Real Estate agent where she met Neill.

They moved to Houston, TX in 1982. Betty furthered her sales career with the 1960 Sun; Humble Observer; and Pasadena Citizen from which she retired after a relapse of arthritis.

The family would like to extend thanks to Betty’s’ doctors: Nancy Scheinost of Bryan,Tx; Timothy Irvine,Jefy Mathews,Lynn Copeland,Edward Xavier,And George Kantis of the Woodlands for their excellent care,as well as Grace Hospice of Texas.

The Deshazo family requests that those attending the services dress casual and wear "happy" colors.