Betty Henriksen Caldwell

Our blessed and beloved centurion Betty Celia Wyatt Henriksen Caldwell passed away at home on the 23rd of July 2016. She and her twin sister, Bonny Louise Wyatt Nobles, were born on the 1st of January 1915, on Heights Blvd. in Houston. They were recognized as the first twins born in Texas in 1915, when governor-elect, Jim “Pa” Ferguson sent their father a check for $10.00

Betty graduated from West Tech High School in Cleveland, Ohio and from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio with a degree in education. She taught school in 1937 for an annual salary of $900.00 before returning to Houston in 1938. She met her future husband, Vernon Henriksen at First Methodist Church. They were married at her parents’ home in Houston on the 13th of July 1945, after Lt. Henriksen’s return from England where he served as an Army Air Corps Navigator on the B-17. Betty opened a portrait studio in Houston while raising three children, Ronald, Russell, and Linda. She received many national and state awards for her outstanding portraits. After her retirement she and Vernon became involved in a family telecommunications business. For recreation, they traveled the world.

Betty was a member of First Methodist Church since 1939 where she was in the Fidelis Sunday School Class. She served on the Wesley Academy Administrative Board and was a life member of the First Methodist Church Official Administrative Board.

Betty underwrote the Noah’s Arc Water Feature in memory of Vernon Henriksen and the statue of Christ in honor of her children and grandchildren at First Methodist Church Westchase. The Noah's Arc will be enjoyed by children of all ages for years to come.

Also dear to her heart was her membership in Chapter Q, P.E.O. Sisterhood for more than sixty years.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of fifty years, Vernon Henriksen, sisters Winona Wyatt and Bonny Nobles, son-in-law Ken Hughes, her husband, Alvin Caldwell and his daughter, Missy Morello Hendricks

Betty is survived by her son, Ronald Henriksen and wife, Sheri; her son, Russell Henriksen and wife, Jill; and her daughter, Linda Hughes. She leaves five loving grandchildren: Marc Hughes and wife Stacy; Amy Hartsell and husband, Jarrek; Jeffery Henriksen and wife Christina; Matt Henriksen; and James Henriksen. Her great grandchildren are Tatum, Keaton, and Weston Hartsell and Wyatt, Celia, and Annalee Hughes. She is also survived by the children of Bonny; Sandra Wilson, Bonnie Mastin and Wally Nobles and Alvin Caldwell’s family; Blanche and Charlie Morello and their children, Brad Morello, Laura Robertson, Walter Mayer and Alison Coriell.

A special note of thanks and gratitude is given to friend and caregiver, Bonnie Estes.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 26th of July, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis and Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Funeral services will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 27th of July, at First Methodist Church, 1320 Main Street in Houston. The family will greet friends following the service. The burial will be held at Forest Park Lawndale.

Memorial contributions in Betty's memory may be made to Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin Blvd., Nevada, Missouri, 64772-2790