Betty Robertson Rich Paxson

Betty Robertson is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Jack Freeman; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Cindy Rich; son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Teri Rich, all of Lufkin, Texas; grandchildren, Angie Gaylord, Leigh Gaylord Meek and husband Brandon, Paul Rich, Jr. and wife Rhonda, Kimberly Rich Nichols and husband Scott, Ashley Rich, Daniel Rich, Angelia and Dennis Ekholm; great-grandchildren, Caroline, William, and Barrett Meek, Kate and Abby Rich, Mary Elizabeth and Lauren Nichols; sister, Jane Wall; sister-in-law, Hope Furness; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur S. Rich, to whom she was married for 45 years until his death in 1989; Robert Paxson, until his death in 2000; her parents, Annie Goodwin and Earl D. Robertson of Pollok; two brothers, Claude and Earl, Jr.; and four sisters, Berniece Mulhall, Eunice Massa, Marie Saxton and Gwen Vranac.

Betty Robertson was born October 3, 1926, in Pollok, Texas, and lived there until she graduated from Central High School in 1944. After graduation, she moved to Galveston, where she worked for the United States Corps of Engineers as a draftsman. On May 10, 1945, Betty married Arthur Rich "Richie" in Galveston, Texas.

After World War II ended, Betty and Richie briefly lived in Fall River, Massachusetts, until they eventually settled in La Marque, Texas, where they raised their three children, Patsy, Paul and Danny. Betty retired from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston as the administrative assistant to the head of Child Psychiatry. In 1999, Betty moved to Lufkin, Texas to live close to her family. She was a member of Lufkin's First Baptist Church.

Betty's legacy is her family, and she exemplified unconditional love and compassion. Nanny, as she was lovingly called, was proud of her family, and instilled in them a sense of pride in their education. She was a lifelong learner who created a strong foundation for her family, and encouraged and supported those she loved. She was dedicated to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and took great pride in their accomplishments. Nanny was passionate about genealogy, and spent countless hours researching her ancestry to provide an appreciation and history for her family. She passes on a rich tradition of family gatherings, entertaining, storytelling, and her love of cooking.

Pallbearers will be Paul Rich, Danny Rich, Paul Rich, Jr., Daniel Rich, Jack Freeman, Brandon Meek and Scott Nichols.

Funeral services for Betty will be held at 2:00 p.m. on :Sunday, November 27, 2011, at Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Nolan Duck officiating. Interment will follow in the Pollok Cemetery in Pollok, Texas.

The family will receive guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday evening, November 26, 2011, at Gipson Funeral Home.

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.