Betty Ann Courtney

Betty Ann Courtney, 84, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026, in Austin, Texas, surrounded by love, family, and the compassionate care of the wonderful staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Lakeway. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and a lifelong educator, Betty Ann spent her life caring for the people around her: at home, in the classroom, and across the communities she called home.

Betty Ann was born on December 2, 1941, in Texarkana, Arkansas, to John B. and Angella Pappas, and grew up just across the state line in Texarkana, Texas, alongside her sister, Mary. She graduated from Texas Senior High in 1960, attended Texarkana College, and went on to the University North Texas to prepare for the work that would become her life's calling.

Betty Ann was a teacher at heart and a student for life. She began her career in 1963 teaching second grade in Texarkana ISD, then in Irving ISD, returning to the University of North Texas to further her education along the way. She went on to supervise student teachers in the Education Department at the University of Dallas and later served as Elementary Language Arts Coordinator for kindergarten through eighth grade in Round Rock ISD. In 1976, she began teaching first grade in Eanes ISD. Betty Ann always said that teaching the first grade age group was her greatest passion.

She became principal of Valley View Elementary in 1981 and led the school for nearly two decades. Under her direction, Valley View was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 1996. She received the Eanes Education Association Spirit of Education Award three times (1982, 1993, and 1999), was honored with a resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives and earned a special award from Apple Computer, Inc. for leadership and innovation in educational technology. Even while guiding other educators, she kept learning, studying at Texas State University from 1980 to 1986, where she earned a Masters in Education, Magna Cum Laude. When she retired in 2000 after 31 years in education, she left behind thousands of students and teachers whose lives were richer for having known her.

Family was the center of Betty Ann's world. She and her husband, Mike, shared 60 years of marriage, and some of their happiest days were spent together in Beaver Creek, Colorado, hiking the trails, walking their dogs, and soaking up the mountain air. She was a loving mother to her sons, John Michael and Chris, and her grandchildren, Charley, Will, Browning, Archer and Addison, filling her with limitless pride and love. No home of hers was complete without a beloved dog close by and one of her baked treats in the oven.

Perhaps her proudest role was being ‘Ya Ya’ to her grandchildren. She loved to make holidays special by creating traditions such as going all out to decorate her house, cooking special meals, and making countless traditional Greek desserts. She was famous for her Lamb & Spaghetti, Baklava, Twistie and Powdered Sugar cookies. All favorites of her grandchildren. “Ya Ya” rarely missed a football, basketball, soccer, dance, or gymnastics event to support her grandchildren. She poured her heart into this role and into creating special memories we will carry forever.

Her spirit of service reached well beyond the schoolhouse. Betty Ann was an active member of Lakeway Church and gave her time and heart to many local clubs and volunteer organizations. She loved her involvement and friends in the Lakeway P.E.O. women's philanthropic organization. Loving, giving, and endlessly dedicated, she believed in showing up for her community, and she did so up until her passing.

Betty Ann is survived by her husband of 60 years, Michael R. Courtney; her son, John Michael & spouse Pam Courtney; her son Chris Courtney & spouse Annie Courtney; and her grandchildren, Charley, Will, Browning, Archer and Addison Courtney.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis, 411 Ranch Rd 620 S, Lakeway, Texas 78734. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Austinblessings.org - Backpacks for Kids, a fitting tribute to a woman who devoted her life to the education of children.