Bettie L. Lively

Elizabeth (Bettie) Zoe LeGrand Lively passed away on Friday, September 5th. Bettie was born in Evanston, Illinois on January 3rd, 1926 to Zoe Ethel Nirk LeGrand and Richard Webster LeGrand. Having lived in New York, Pennsylvania and Missouri, the family moved to Houston, Texas in 1941, where Bettie attended Austin High School and The University of Houston.

Bettie lived a robust, full life, with a big personality that belied her small stature. Through thick and thin, her abiding faith in the Lord was both a comfort and an inspiration. Bettie’s family, her church and her volunteer work meant everything.

IN 1974, Bettie became an enthusiastic member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church; she would go on to become an Elder and a 20 year staff member at MDPC. Her 50+ years of volunteering included MDPC, The Zoological Society, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Sisters and the HUG Program.

When she wasn’t working and volunteering, Bettie loved to cook and create recipes. She thrived on designing and redesigning(!) multiple family homes. She adored music and dancing. And she was known affectionately in our family as “Leadfoot”, because Mom just could not drive…55.

Bettie was also a passionate purveyor and defender of the written word and all things grammatical. She wrote wonderful letters. She solved crossword puzzles in ink, and she could spell anything. Mom was spunky and witty and always happiest with her toes in the sand at the beach. Any beach.

Bettie was preceded in death by her sister, Jeanne LeGrand and her son-in-law, William Henry Sharp Jr. Bettie is survived by sons; Bruce Robertson Lively (and wife Cheryl), and Adam Blake Lively (and wife Jennifer), daughters; Zoeanne Lively Sharp and Kim Elizabeth Lively, Grandchildren; Sheri Hubbard Meredith (and husband Kevin), Jason Bruce Lively (and partner Jennifer), Lesley Lively Koerner (and husband Michael), Elizabeth Sharp Austin (and husband Jeremy), Allison Marie Sharp, Michael Ragen, Luke Addison Lively, Hudson LeGrand Lively, Tucker Maxwell Lively, great grandchildren; Iain Koerner, Ayden Koerner, Madison Meredith Thornburn (and husband Paul), Adair Rene Meredith, Ellie Jane Meredith, Jared Day Lively, Riley Lively, Everley Zoe Austin, Lucia Marie Austin, Fletcher Lyons Austin, great- great grandchildren; Kimberly Mae Thornburn and Blaine Kevin Thornburn and a host of treasured friends.

Our family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the staff of Parkway Place Memory Care and Genus Patris Hospice for their compassionate care and support.

Bettie’s ashes will be inurned at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston, near her sister Jeanne and mother Zoe. If you wish, donations in Bettie’s memory may be made to Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, the Houston SPCA or the charity of your choosing.