Betty V. Dale

Betty Van Gilder Dale was born the 5th of August 1924 in Independence, Missouri moving to Houston, Texas in 1943. She peacefully passed away the 27th of November 2015 at the age of 91. She attended high school in Kansas City, Missouri where she graduated at age 16. Always a beautiful woman, in 1943 the Houston Press chose her “Miss War Worker 1943”. During WWII, she worked at Reed Roller Bit Company where she met her husband, Warren Dale. Betty and Warren were married 44 years before his passing in 1990. She had a great love for her family, God, and music. She was an avid gardener who took great pride in her beautiful roses, azaleas, and magnolias. She loved traveling, cooking, singing, and playing with her much loved dog.

Betty was devoted to her children as a full time mother and homemaker. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 69 years, sang in the Chancel Choir for over 50 years, participated in Hand Bell Choir, Women of the Church, and the Adult Plus senior group. She has been involved with much charity work in her lifetime including: Houston Tuesday Musical Club serving as Director and President, Braes Republican Women, Linkwood Ladies, and Girl Scout Troop Leader. Her accomplishments on the piano were many, passing on her passion of the piano to her children and grandchildren, teaching and encouraging them to take lessons. Betty and Warren were enthusiastic travelers, taking driving vacations every summer with their children and Granny across the US, visiting all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. Later, Betty and Warren took many cruises around Europe and Scandinavia, even traveling to Scotland to perform with the Chancel Choir.

Her parents, Ivan and Wilhelmina Van Gilder, her husband, Warren Alfred Dale, and their infant son, William B. Dale preceded her in death. She is survived by her children: Kathy Sawatzki and her husband Mark; Fran Bumbalough and her husband Jerry; Warren C. Dale and his wife Joan; Jim Dale and his wife Dana; five grandchildren: Bryan, Jennifer, Lacey, William, and Matthew; and two great grandchildren: Avery and Caleb.

Betty’s family, church family, and friends will dearly miss her. The family would like to thank the caretakers and activity directors at Bayou Manor, Methodist Hospital Medical Center, The Gardens of Bellaire, and The Heights of Tomball.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers during Monday's services are Mark Sawatzki, Jerry Bumbalough, Bryan Inabnit, and William Dale.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 6th of December, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The funeral service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 7th of December, in the Chapel of the Angels at Forest Park Lawndale, where Dr. Bill Heston, Executive Pastor at First Presbyterian, is to officiate.

The interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, at 7670 Woodway Drive, Suite 230, Houston, TX 77063, or to the charity of your choice.