Bettye Ruth Scurr

Bettye Ruth Scurr was born on September 23, 1929, in Fort Worth, Texas to Wallace Thomas Scurr and Muzie Elizabeth Echols Scurr, who preceded her in death. She passed away on September 28, 2025 at her home in Aledo. Survivors include her cousin, Carol Carpenter of San Antonio and husband, Larry.

She graduated from Arlington Heights High School and continued her education at Texas Christian University, graduating in 1952 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor is Sociology.

Bettye had a lifelong career with the Texas Department of Human Services in Fort Worth from 1966-1988. She began her employment there as a case worker in the Aid to Families of Dependent Children program. After six years in that position, she was promoted to a supervisor role in the same department. Most of her time with the Department of Human Services was spent working as a staff development specialist in the oversight and supervision of eligibility requirements for seniors entering nursing home care. At the time of her death, Bettye held an Emeritus Social Work License with the State of Texas.

Bettye’s passion was art, particularly oil painting, and she was an accomplished artist who won many awards for her paintings. Her private collection includes hundreds of her works, displayed throughout her house. Her interest in art was first inspired at Texas Christian University through her enrollment in several art courses, one of the most influential being an oil painting class, taught by Professor Jim Woodson. Additionally, there was an educational experience class for seniors at Tarrant County Junior College after her retirement which contributed to the development of her innate talents. Bettye also studied for many years with Judy Sager, a prominent artist in Fort Worth.

She was an active member of the Fort Worth Womans Club for many years from 1990-2010 and served as the Chairman of the Womans Club Art Department from 2001-2003. Bettye continued to paint and work as an artist long into her retirement and worked with Dr. Jeanne Cobb as the illustrator for a children’s book entitled, The Doll Dresser, which Jeanne coauthored with her husband Rev. James Cobb. Bettye’s intricate watercolor illustrations made the book come alive. It was published in 2010 and is available for purchase on Amazon.

Bettye was a lifelong Christian and was a member of First Christian Church, Fort Worth where she worshipped for many years. She served faithfully as elder, chairperson of various committees, and as Chair of the Elders. In later years she was a faithful member of Christ Chapel Bible Church and was active in the Bible Study Fellowship Group, completing many intensive studies of the Bible. When Bettye was unable to attend services on Sunday, she always watched online and felt her week was incomplete without her worship time.

Her love and devotion to her family and friends was always evident, with deep love and appreciation to Sundie Scott, her longtime friend and caregiver, and Maggie Lopez, her housekeeper. Special thanks also to Good Shepherd Hospice caregivers. Bettye was a cat lover and cherished her special feline companion Ditus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bible Study Fellowship at Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth.