Bettie June Wright

Bettie was born on June 16th, 1929, in Lufkin, Texas to John Chester and Alice (Brasuell) Murphy. She attended her early years in school in Lufkin, Texas, and graduated Cum Laude from Reagan High School in Houston, Texas. Following high school graduation, Bettie attended Baylor University and eventually met her life's love, Edgar Thomas Wright Jr. The two were married at First Baptist Church of Houston on September 16th, 1950. Several years later, they welcomed Karen June into their lives, then Rebecca Gail completed the family.

Bettie loved to travel with her favorite travelmate and husband, Eddie. Together they square danced through Germany, adventured through Alaska in an RV, enjoyed the shows in Branson, and peeped leaves in the Northeast. She also enjoyed cruising the Caribbean, skiing the slopes of New Mexico, tubing in Wimberly, and beachcombing for seashells in Galveston with her daughters and grandchildren. Though Bettie enjoyed many adventures both domestically and abroad, she was always her happiest with her family in her beautiful backyard.

Bettie took pride in being an active member of both her church and within the local Memorial community. She was a member of several book clubs, her local garden club and often volunteered at her church, Tallowood Baptist Church, hospitals, and the local elementary school. Bettie was a strong advocate of literacy programs, loved reading to the school children, and had a natural gift for hospitality. She could regularly be found opening her door to those in need.

Eddie said that Bettie was the smartest person he had ever known, and he was probably right. As a result of her high academic achievements, Bettie was asked to be a part of Baylor's work/ study program during her undergraduate studies and worked as a research assistant within the physics department. Bettie was a self-made professional and a pacesetter for women in the workplace. She could type 100 words per minute, as well as read and write shorthand. Throughout her career, she established a name for herself in Houston's oil and gas industry and became a highly sought-after Executive Assistant. She worked for many industry executives within Southern Pacific Railroad Co., Anderson Clayton Co., Tennessee Gas Transmission Co., Ashland Oil Co., Atwood Oceanics, Delta Builders, and eventually retired from Chevron USA. She passed on her strong work ethic to her daughters and granddaughters.

Bettie was preceded in death by her parents, John Chester Murphy and Alice Dawson, and her siblings: Joni Lawrence, Ken Murphy, and Sally Threlkeld. She is survived by her loving sister Jeanette Murphy Rodrigues, her two daughters Karen June Atchley (Alan Atchley), Rebecca Gail Burcaw (Randy Burcaw), her granddaughters, Emily June Atchley Spanos (Pete Spanos) and Alane Rebecca Atchley, her grandsons, Justin Lee Burcaw, Randall Taylor Burcaw, Thomas Graham Burcaw, Hunter Wayne Burcaw (Kristi Burcaw) and four great-grandchildren.

Family and friends viewing is Thursday, April 29th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The family graveside service is Friday, April 30th at 1:00 pm. Both will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetary located at 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to Miracle Farm (www.miraclefarm.org) or your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.