Betty Lynn Deberry

Born on September 7, 1924 to Merritt “Viv” Peck and Cecil Ruby Anderson in Holden, Missouri, Betty Lynn Chorn DeBerry entered the gates of Heaven into the arms of God on July 26, 2013 at Covenant Place Abilene, Texas. Throughout her young life she lived and went to school in Holden. After her parents’ divorce, Betty and brother Jerry were raised by their single mom. Cecil married Frank DeMasters and three sisters were born. She graduated from Holden High School in 1941, and in 1942 the family moved to Overland Park, Kansas. During World War II, Betty worked in an airplane factory and in 1946 met and married a young pilot, Lt. Milton (Mit) Chorn. She and the love of her life were married until his death in 1981. They had three children. As a dutiful Air Force wife, Betty set up homes in Topeka, Kansas; Rhein Mein AFB, Germany; Ardmore, Oklahoma; Smyrna, Tennessee; and Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas. They retired in 1965 and made Abilene their permanent home. Betty became one of the first employees of Dillard’s when the Mall of Abilene opened in 1979. She worked there until 1996. In 1985 she married John DeBerry, and they enjoyed traveling and visiting grandchildren until his death in 1995. Betty was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Abilene, and was very active in the Homebuilders Sunday School Class and United Methodist Women serving in many capacities. One of her greatest joys was watching her grandchildren grow up, especially watching Jeff, John, and Brian play football at Clyde and Abilene Cooper High Schools. When her daughter became an Associate Principal at Abilene High School, she became a true Eagle fan and followed them until her death.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Viv Peck and Cecil DeMasters and stepfather, Frank DeMasters; brother Jerry Peck; husband Major Milton E. Chorn; and husband SMGT John DeBerry.

Betty is survived by daughter Melody Roper, Abilene; son Ronnie (Diane) Chorn, Abilene; daughter Lisa Heiser, Weatherford, TX; sisters Shirley John, Carol Johnson and Donna Tyler; sister-in-law Shirley Peck of Kansas; grandsons Jeff (Laura) Chorn, Dripping Springs, TX; Brian (Tammy) Roper, Spring, TX; John Chorn, Ft. Worth; Michael (Renee) Heiser, Springtown, TX; Jason (Amanda) Heiser, Weatherford, TX; and granddaughter-in-law, Michelle Chorn. She was also blessed to have the love of thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

The family would like to thank Dr. Carl Trusler, Dr. Samantha Goodman, and David Collins and the wonderful staff at Covenant Place Abilene. The love and care she received her six years there were truly a blessing and comfort to her family.

The family will be receiving friends and family at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St., Abilene, TX, Monday, July 29, 2013, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 3100 Barrow Street, Abilene, TX. Betty will be laid to rest beside Mit in Elmwood Memorial Park following the service.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Jeff Chorn, Brian Roper, John Chorn, Michael Heiser and Jason Heiser. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Royce Curtis, Mike McAuliffe, Lynn Nichols, and Dub Pierce.