Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Dildine Ghormley

Betsy was born on the 11th of April 1940 to Ward and Mary Dildine in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She graduated from Southside High School in Fort Wayne in 1958. Later she earned a BA in Home Economics from Indiana University. While in college, she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority where she developed many cherished friendships and dated Stephen White whom she later married in 1963. Betsy taught home economics at a variety of secondary schools while Stephen was in medical school and training. They have two beautiful daughters: Wendy and Stephanie. After moving to Houston in 1970, she continued to devote herself to caring for and raising their daughters.

She enjoyed actively participating in many volunteer organizations including the Houston Junior Forum, Ima Hogg Ceramic Circle and diligently served as a docent at Bayou Bend Collection for many years. Dr. White and Betsy later divorced after 30 years of marriage; however, they later became and remained dear friends.

Betsy loved being an active member and serving at Second Baptist Church where she further grew in her personal relationship with Jesus Christ and developed many dear friendships while attending worship, TNT and the Soul Destination class. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out with her kindness, hospitality, witty sense of humor, triumphant spirit, occasional mischievousness, and, of course, her long platinum hair. Betsy always had a special twinkle in her eye.

In 2000, Betsy met the love of her life and married Hugh Ghormley in 2001. The couple thoroughly enjoyed traveling, evening walks, playing bridge and entertaining at home during their brief time together prior to his unfortunate death in 2005.

One of Betsy’s fondest memories growing up was spending Summers in Clear Lake, Indiana at the family lake house. Some of her favorite trips were to England, France, Italy, Puget Sound, Aspen, Taos, Lake Travis, Fredericksburg, Fort Worth and East Texas. Her hobbies and favorite activities included: gardening, playing bridge, cooking, sewing, antique and jewelry collecting, touring historical homes, water and snow skiing, playing tennis, socializing and walking with friends and family.

“Bebe,” as she was known to her family, is survived by her daughter Stephanie House and son-in-law David House of Houston, Texas and her daughter Wendy White and Wendy’s daughter Hayleigh of Wilton, Connecticut. She is also survived by three sisters: Beverly Dildine, Nancy Dresser, and Deedy Long.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to friends and family for visiting Betsy in the hospital and at home, for their thoughtful prayers, warm words of encouragement, especially during these last challenging and precious six months. Also, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the LivHome caregivers for their professionalism, warmth and gentleness as they devoted countless hours caring for Betsy so she could maintain her independence and quality of life during the last season of her wonderful life with us.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from three o’clock this afternoon until six o’clock this evening, Sunday, the 8th of August, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock tomorrow morning, Monday, the 9th of August, in the Hankamer Chapel of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Rev. John Barksdale, Executive Director of Pastoral Ministry, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Deacons’ Parlor of the church.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Betsy’s memory may be directed to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5433 Westheimer Rd., Ste. 325, Houston, TX, 77056; the Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens, P.O. Box 6826, Houston, TX, 77265-6826; or to the charity of one’s choice.