Betty Catherine Stapp

She will be remembered with a visitation service held at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home from 4pm until 7pm on Friday, March 29 with visitation hours from 4pm to 5pm with a memorial service from 5pm to 6pm, then followed by another visitation hour from 6pm to 7pm to accommodate Good Friday service. A graveside service will also be held at 12:30pm at Rose Hill Cemetery in her hometown of Tyler, Texas on Saturday, March 30.

Betty was born November 22, 1940 in Tyler, Texas, the daughter of Pete and Virginia Neumeyer. After graduating as Valedictorian from John Tyler High School, she attended North Texas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1962. She later received a Masters in Vocational Education from East Texas State University, as well as a Ph.D. in Adult and Continuing Education from Texas Women’s University, all while raising her three children.

After receiving her Ph.D., Betty began an illustrious 45-year career in education, the majority of which was dedicated to working with several magnet programs in the Dallas Independent School District in various capacities, including as a Curriculum Writer, Dean of Instruction and then Principal of the High School for Health Professions for a cumulative of 18 years and as the Educational Planner for the Townview Magnet working with the district, architects and vendors to create a full scale, fully operational education center. She established herself as a respected leader in the magnet school field, and over the course of more than two decades of service to Dallas ISD, she helped raise millions of dollars in federal and state grants.

In addition to her time in DISD, Betty was also Principal at the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences in Hot Springs, Arkansas and the Curriculum Coordinator for The Science Academy and Director of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy of Austin at Lyndon Baines Johnson High School in Austin, Texas. Because of her extensive work in Dallas, Austin, and Arkansas, she was a sought-after consultant in developing magnet programs. Betty was passionate about her career and took great satisfaction in her work. Even in retirement she spent almost nine years working as a Student Teacher Advisor with the University of Dallas. Betty was also involved in various organizations in varying positions, including the Rotary Club, Phi Delta Kappa and the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science & Technology. Betty was a longtime, loyal member of Stonebriar Community Church, where she was a fervent and active member of the Women's Bible Study.

Betty held several impressive titles throughout her career, but her favorite title was “Nana B.” She believed her greatest achievement was being a mother and grandmother to her three children and nine grandchildren. She was immensely proud of her children whom she raised to be professionals in their communities, including one oral surgeon and two attorneys and her grandchildren whom she was deeply involved with fostering their dreams and pushing them to excel. She adored the companionship of animals and rescued and deeply loved several pets in her lifetime. She enjoyed traveling the world, cooking for her family, playing the piano and organ, and was constantly seeking new experiences and knowledge. Her family will remember her for her unconditional love, strength, determination, intelligence, stubbornness and strong will and her fast and analytical wit.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and Carl Ray Stapp. Betty leaves behind her beloved family, including her brother, Donnie and Paula Neumeyer of Kilgore and his family; and her children, Brian and Yadira Stapp of Houston, and their five children, Katy, Valerie, Kelsey, Brandon and Grayson; Melanie and Joe Klint of Plano, and their two children, Alexandra and Hamilton; and Greg Stapp of Montoursville, Pa., and his two children, Elizabeth and Andrew.

Memorial contributions may be made to Best Friends Animal Society and Sanctuary and Girls Inc. (Dallas).