Betty Ruth Radford

She was born at home in Linden, Texas, on December 16, 1932, to Willie Ruth Nelson and Wiley Simpson Daughety. At age 3 Betty was chosen as Little Miss Shirley Temple at the annual County Fair. She was successful in school and was a Pep Squad member at Linden High School. Betty loved growing up in her small East Texas town with her beloved parents and siblings, as well as aunts and uncles. She passed on to her family her love for small town life and the tight knit community of Linden.

She received her degree in Education at North Texas State University, now UNT. For three years, she taught school in Dallas, where she met her husband, Lee Radford, M.D., through her roommates. They were married in 1956 and moved to Chicago, where Betty taught school and Lee did his internship. After she married Lee, she became a great and dedicated Aggie Sweetheart and later an Aggie Mom when all of her children attended Texas A&M.

Betty was a dedicated Christian, who loved her Lord and his Word. She and Lee began attending Believer’s Chapel in the early 70’s and dove into the teaching and the fellowship of the church. She participated in many ministries, including the Tape Ministry, Sunday School for children and VBS, but she was best known for making everyone she met feel welcomed and included. Her great desire was to make known the salvation freely offered by Christ. She continued to attend the Chapel virtually, even when her illness and the virus changed her ability to go in person.

Anyone who met Betty, but especially her husband and children, would say that she was the nicest and kindest person they ever met. She was able to make friends with anyone because of her inviting expression and sweet smile, from the person who cleaned her hospital room to the most influential person she met. Betty welcomed all the new neighbors with cookies and kind words and added them to her neighborhood of friends. She had a person-centered heart and made it her purpose to find out about them and their families, even remembering birthdates of her friends and their children, a feat that astonished everyone.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Simpson Daughety and her sister, Mary Daughety. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Lee Radford, M. D. Though Lee loved his work, he loved Betty more and retired on June 30, 2020, from 53 years practice in the field of radiology to take care of the love of his life. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Dr. Jewel Daughety and Rose, sister-in -law Mary Radford, daughters Susan Radford of Dallas and Lisa Fearing (Kirk) of Nacogdoches, and son Mike Radford (Maria Elena) of Rowlett. Betty leaves 8 grandchildren, Ross Fearing (Emily) of Sparta, Illinois, Andrew Fearing of Nacogdoches, Peter Fearing (Yulia) of Abilene, Texas, Lillian Alaniz (Sevee) of Dallas, Annalee Epps (Jacob) of Bryan, Mary Fearing of Bryan, Grayson Radford, and Emilee Radford of Dallas, as well as 9 great grandchildren.

Contributions may be directed to Believer’s Chapel, Union Gospel Mission, UT Southwestern Radiology, Texas A&M Endowment Fund, or North Texas University.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on such things.” Phil. 4:8