Betty Sue Jenkins

Betty was a loving wife, devoted mother, caring grandmother known as “Gammy” to her grandchildren, loving sister, and a loyal friend.

Betty was born at home to loving parents Bernadine and Sylvan Cloninger on September 11, 1934, in Goldthwaite, Texas. Betty’s parents preceded her in death. Betty was the eldest of three daughters born during the Great Depression. Betty attended school in Mason, Texas, and Ballinger, Texas, prior to graduating from high school in Gorman, Texas. She played the saxophone in high school and continued on to perform in the Baylor University Band from 1953 to 1954. Betty met fellow student, Floyd Cottner Parker, at Baylor University where they fell in love. Betty and Floyd married on June 12, 1954, in Goldthwaite, TX.

The couple later moved to Boulder, Colorado, when Floyd was accepted into medical school. Their first child, Susan Loraine, was born in Denver on October 26, 1955, followed by Joyce Kay on January 22, 1957. After Floyd’s graduation from medical school, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where Floyd did his Internship at Harris Hospital. They were blessed with another daughter, Anna Lynn, who was born in Menard, Texas, on March 23, 1960. Upon completion of his Internship, Floyd joined the Air Force and served as Captain while stationed in Tucson, Arizona. The Parkers’ fourth daughter, Helen Margaret, was born in Tucson on June 24, 1961; she died on April 26, 1962, at ten months of age from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The family moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico, in 1961, where Floyd opened a private medical clinic. Baby Girl Parker was born in Amarillo, Texas, on December 19, 1962, and died from meningitis two days later on December 21, 1962. On December 1, 1963, Melanie Kay was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico. In the summer of 1968, Betty and Floyd divorced, and Betty moved with the four girls, their horses, and a cat to Hamilton, Texas. During the first eight years in Hamilton, Betty worked as Manager of Market Basket convenience store. This allowed her the flexibility to tirelessly attend her daughters’ basketball games, track meets, and rodeos.

On January 8, 1972, Betty married Edward Donald Jenkins, son of Jasper and Alice Jo Jenkins. Ed was a Civil Engineer for the State Highway Department in Bellmead, Texas. They made their home in Hamilton for 39 years. Ed preceded Betty in death on May 21, 2011. During their marriage, Betty was involved in local and county politics, was an avid bridge player, and became addicted to playing golf. Betty spent many hours playing golf at the Perry Country Club, but her proudest hobby was being a staunch Dallas Cowboys fan. Betty served as Justice of the Peace prior to serving as County Judge for Hamilton County from 1978 to 1986. Betty was a City Council Member and Mayor of Hamilton from 1989 to 2014. Betty served on many committees and was a member of multiple organizations throughout the years in efforts to improvement her community. Most notably, Betty was a Past President of the Central Texas Council of Governments. She joyfully and tirelessly served the citizens of Hamilton, Hamilton County, and the State of Texas. Betty has the distinction of being the only female to serve as Hamilton County Judge. She was a strong role model for her daughters, whom she loved endlessly.

In March 2014, Betty resigned as Mayor of Hamilton due to health reasons that prevented her from carrying out her duties to her high standards. After undergoing back surgery and enduring three cases of pneumonia, Betty lost her battle with illness and joined her Lord on September 7, 2014. Never has a finer woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend walked this earth while gracing the lives of those she touched.

She is survived by her four daughters and their husbands, Susan and Bruce Lousberg, Joyce and Matthew Holt, Anna Lynn and Charlie Scoggin, and Melanie and George Lees; her grandchildren and their spouses, Amanda and Chase Hunt, Trevor and Chelsy Lousberg, Callan Scoggin, and Colten Lees; her great grandchildren Ryan and Lucas Hunt; her two sisters, Linda Mentzer and Kay Clemmons; as well as, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be held at Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton, Texas, on September 10th at 10:00am. Please leave online condolences at www.rileyfuneral.com. Riley Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.