Betsy McClure

Elizabeth Bush McClure, 68, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 16, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston. Affectionately called Betsy throughout her life, she was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 17, 1957 into a family of six including her mother, her father, three sisters, and one brother. She met her future husband, Brian, on a blind date during their senior year of High School. She graduated from Louise S. McGehee School in 1975 and went on to attend the University of Mississippi for two years. She then transferred to Louisiana State University to be with Brian and to finally be able to cheer for a winning football team. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1979. After graduating college, she enjoyed teaching 2nd Grade at St. George’s Episcopal School.

Brian and Betsy dated throughout their college years and were married in October 1981. They were blessed with three children, Robert Reed, Harrison Shields, and Travis Bush. After teaching for 5 years, she happily retired to be a full-time Mom. The utter joy of Betsy’s life was being a wife, mother, and homemaker. She loved being at home doing things for and with her family. Above all else, Betsy adored her boys and showered them with unconditional love. As they grew older, she was so proud of all their accomplishments and even more so of the men they became.

In 1997, the family moved to Austin. Whether in New Orleans or Austin, Betsy never met a stranger she couldn’t talk to and had so many friends whom she enjoyed.

Everyone in the family knew that Betsy always brought the fun to any party or family gathering. During the 2020 pandemic, Betsy created a Family Zoom Bingo Game, and the entire family, across four different time zones, joined in. Her nieces, nephews, grand nephews, and grandnieces affectionately called her “Aunt Boo”. She always made sure “The Grands” received whimsical presents wrapped beautifully with love for Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Betsy is survived by her husband Brian McClure; her sons, Reed and Travis McClure; Travis’ wife Ashley McClure and Reed’s partner Celina Gonzalez; her siblings, Evelyn de Laureal, Henry Bush and Shiela Brantley; her sisters in- law, Louise Bush and Alison McClure; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and second cousins. She is preceded in death by her son, Harrison McClure; her parents, Shiela and Henry Bush, affectionately called “Mama Pops” and “Daddy Pops”; her sister, Sara Ann Guiterman; and her brother-in-law Martin de Laureal.

Betsy was one of the kindest, sweetest, most considerate, loving and thoughtful people you could ever know. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, and our lives are forever changed by her passing.

Everyone is invited to attend the Celebration of Betsy’s Life.

When: Monday, February 23 at 10:00 AM

Where: Riverbend Church at Smith Family Chapel

Address: 4214 North Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, Texas

Reception immediately following in Riverbend Church’s

Community Center

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

St Elizabeth Foundation

stelizabethfoundation.org

Boy Scouts of America

Directed to: The Harrison McClure Conservation Award

Fund

Austin Film Society

Directed to: The Harrison McClure Film Fund

Mobile Loaves and Fishes

mlf.org