Betty Sue Leveritt

Betty Sue (Harris/Thompson) Leveritt, went to Heaven on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at the age of 87. Mom saw the face of Jesus and it took her breath away. Born November 23, 1932 in Mulberry Canyon of Merkel, Texas to Loyd and Mary Harris, she attended Merkel schools before the family moved to Beaumont in 1945 and then to Houston in 1946. She attended Burbank Junior High School and Reagan High School where she was member of the Red Coats Drum & Bugle Corp.

From 1959 to 1967, mom found herself to be a single mother raising 5 children in the Houston Heights. She was a faithful prayer warrior that took her children to church and taught them about the Lord and His faithfulness. Even without much money, she made sure to teach us about tithing. She continued to tithe right up to her death. Mom was employed by Henke & Pillot (now Krogers) for over 10 years and was named Employee of the Year on two occasions. Later she worked for the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District Transportation Department where she served as a bus driver for the special needs children until her retirement in 1985. She spent many years of service in her church as a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher. Mom’s love for family and friends was evident in her home. It was a gathering place and one could always go to the fridge and find a smorgasbord of home cooked dishes! Everyone felt loved and welcomed.

Her pastor introduced her to the man who would become her husband and the father to all five of her children. She and Al Leveritt were married at Cole Creek Baptist Church on October 6, 1967. The family then moved to Cole Creek where they lived until 2010. In 2010, Mom suffered a major stroke and needed more rehabilitation so they decided to move to Wichita Falls closer to two of their children. Just 4 months after their move, Dad died unexpectedly of cancer. Mom had made tremendous progress on her recovery and was able to live independently at Presbyterian Manor where she remained until her death. She busied herself as a volunteer in the Manor Store, playing Bingo, visiting her friends in the healthcare facility, being the movie monitor, leading daily exercise classes and going on as many trips as possible. Mom was even featured in a television commercial for the Manor. She was best known for her contagious smile and her banana pudding! One of her favorite activities was serving as a surrogate grandmother in the Generations program of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. She always looked forward to the time with her “grandchild.” In addition, Mom was active at Southside Baptist Church where she loved her Sunday School Class and her pastor, Brother Bobby Gonzalez.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Al Leveritt; her parents, Loyd and Mary Harris; her infant daughter, Carolyn Sue; her daughter, Pamela Hutchins; son, Mark Thompson; son-in-law, Dickey Hutchins; brothers, Jerry Harris, Roger Harris; and sister-in-law, Wanda Harris Pillow.

She is survived by one brother, Warren Harris (Claudette) and a sister-in-law, Mary Frances Harris. Mom also leaves behind children: Sharon Thompson Bankhead (Larry); sons, Steve Thompson (Debby) and Mike Thompson, Mari Sue Leveritt Peoples, and a daughter-in-law, Perla Thompson. In addition, she is survived by 10 grandchildren: Jason Bankhead (Jenn), LaShay Bankhead Morse (Stephen), Brad Bankhead (Shannon), Kevin Hutchins (Mandy), Keith Hutchins (Jana), Travis Thompson, Trent Thompson, Toni Thompson Nava (Ryan), Billy Polling (Shannon), Meghan Thompson, and a step-granddaughter, Anakaren “angel” Tapia. There are also 24 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren plus a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends to also cherish her memory.

Our family would like to especially thank the staff of Presbyterian Manor in Wichita Falls for their excellent care and heartfelt ministry to our mother. You have been such a blessing.

A celebration of Mom’s life will be held Saturday, June 27 under the direction of Earthman-Resthaven in Houston, Texas. Visitation for all friends and family will be from 10am to 12 Noon in the chapel. Due to COVID-19, only 50 are allowed in the chapel for the actual service which will follow the visitation at 1:00 pm.

However, other family members and friends are welcome and encouraged to sit outside in the courtyard and view the services on your devices via the livestream. Interment will follow at 2pm in the adjacent cemetery. The graveside service will be open to all guests. Please note that all attendees must wear masks.

A separate memorial service will be held at Southside Baptist Church in Wichita Falls at a later date, yet to be determined.

Memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, Wichita Falls or to the Good Samaritan Fund at Presbyterian Manor also in Wichita Falls.