Betty L. Parsons

Betty was born October 3, 1930 in Peoria Illinois to Samuel and Delores Helms. She was raised in Bartonville, Illinois until the age of 17 years when she moved to Texas with her father, mother and sister. It was here she met her future husband William (Bill) Parsons. They were married on February 22, 1950 and recently celebrated 56 years of matrimony. Through much hard work and sacrifice, they began Glendale Boat Works, Inc. a company that is still in business today.

Betty and Bill raised their three daughters in the North Shore area. In 1979, they moved to Baytown to be in the “country.” She enjoyed country living. She had many adventures raising cows, pigs, goats, and chickens. She wouldn’t think twice about putting on her ‘bubba roots’ (as her grandson called them) and haying the cows. Betty even mowed their five acres up until her recent illness.

Betty was a dedicated member of the Methodist faith. She currently belongs to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Baytown and is a past member of First United Methodist Church of Mont Belvieu and Holy Trinity United Methodist Church in North Shore. She actively participated and held office in the United Methodist Women, was involved in the Food Pantry at First United Methodist Church, as well as the Mother’s Day Out Program. Over the years, she took an active role in teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes. She was always ready to lend a helping hand from setting up the parsonage for a new pastor, collecting supplies for UM Army trips, feeding children and even cleaning the sanctuary if the need arose.

Betty became a member of the San Jacinto Volunteer Service Corps in 2005. She enjoyed every working moment at the hospital and the friendship she had with the other volunteers. It was a very important part of her life. Manning the phones, greeting and transporting patients was all done with a smile. While many were gone because of hurricane Rita, Betty donned her blue jacket and headed to the hospital to lend a hand.

Betty had three daughters, three grandsons, one granddaughter and a special dog “Sister.” She loved spoiling her grandchildren. She loved them equally and was always there for them. They all would agree, “when all else fails, ask Nana.” Besides her family, Nana was known and loved by many, she never met a stranger.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, mother, and two brothers Joseph and Raymond Helms. She is survived by her loving husband Bill, daughters Dolores Devine and husband Danny, Susan Roberts and husband Robin, Vicki Batson and husband Ricky, grandsons Scott Batson, Brad Batson, Wade Roberts, granddaughter Regina Devine, two sisters Virginia Pye of Glasford, Illinois and Delores Hightower of Graford, Texas, and many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Pam Medellin, who Betty grew to love, for her gentle care and compassionate touch throughout Betty’s battle with cancer, to the nurses at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital, San Jacinto Cancer Center, and Triumph Hospital for their sincere and heartfelt assistance over the last several months, and to Nurse Cindy Patterson of Faith Community Hospice for comforting Betty in her final days. And to all their friends and neighbors who helped them during this most difficult time, the family wishes to say thank you for the food, the flowers, the gifts, and most of all the prayers. The outpouring of love and concern shown to Betty touched them all deeply and will never be forgotten.

Her family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Navarre Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Mike Proctor and Rev. Paul Thomasson. Burial will follow at Mont Belvieu Methodist Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ricky Batson, Robin Roberts, Scott Batson, Brad Batson, Dale Cather, and Donald Montgomery. Honorary pallbearers are Danny Devine, Wade Roberts, Guss Pasquani, Rennie Ellis, Joe Helms, and Chuck Helms.

In honor of Betty Louise Parsons, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, Bridgehaven Children Advocacy Center, or St Marks United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the directions of Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521, 281-422-8111.