Betty Lois Linthicum

She was born on November 2, 1944, in Quinton Oklahoma to her parents, Aaron and Freda Gaines. In 1958, Betty moved from Oklahoma to Midkiff, Texas, where she met the love of her life at just 14 years old. Betty and Jim’s story as high school sweethearts became a beautiful, lifelong marriage built on devotion and deep love for one another. They had a very close and unique relationship that was a blessing for those around them to witness.

Betty was a proud mother to her daughter, Mendy. Their relationship was not only that of mother and daughter, but also of best friends who truly loved spending time together. She shared a special bond with her son-in-law, Dan, whom she deeply admired and trusted. Betty’s greatest pride and joy were her two grandsons, Preston and Joseph. She adored them and cherished every moment spent with them, taking great pride in their accomplishments over the years.

Betty devoted more than fifty years of her life to education, serving as a teacher in Seminole and then as a principal at Midland Christian School. She truly loved working with children, and her face would light up when they would run to greet her with hugs. One of her favorite roles was leading singing in Chapel each morning, where her joy and enthusiasm were contagious. She retired in May of 2019 after decades of faithfully doing what she loved most.

Betty’s life changed forever in December 2021 when she suffered a traumatic brain injury while riding her bike. She underwent brain surgery and worked very hard to recover, but the injury ultimately took its toll. Her family is forever grateful to the nurses and caregivers at Manor Park, who provided such compassionate care during her final years.

Betty was a devoted Christian woman with a loving heart and a bright, cheerful spirit. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched as an educator, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, and a friend. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Betty is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Jim Linthicum of Midland; her daughter, Mendy Michel, and her husband Dan of Midland; her grandchildren, Preston Michel and his wife Hallie of Midland, Joseph Michel and his fiancé Corynne of Midland; her great granddaughter, Millie Michel of Midland and her brother, Ron Gaines and his wife Sandra of Lubbock, Texas.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Aaron and Freda Gaines.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Golf Course Road Church of Christ.

Flowers are appreciated and as another expression of sympathy, Donations as a tribute to Betty may be made to Manor Park Scharbauer Cottage website http://www.manorparkinc.org.