Betty was born in a humble farmhouse near Moore, OK in August 1927. Like most Okies growing up in the midst of the Dust Bowl and the Depression, her early life was difficult. The road became harder as she and her brother and sister were orphaned in early childhood. The children were raised by loving family in Moore.
In order to stay close to her brother Tom, Betty began her education at the local one-room school starting at age five. Despite working hard on her Uncle's farm and general store, she was an accomplished student and graduated high in her class from Moore High School. At eighteen she achieved the highest score in the state of Oklahoma on the State Civil Service exam, and was immediately hired by the State Welfare Office.
Several years later she met the love of her life, Robert Jacobs. Their marriage in 1952 began a 57-year relationship that was the center of her world. Their two sons, Carl and Clif, were born in 1955 and 1957.
Betty, Bob and the boys packed up and moved from their Tulsa home to Dallas in 1960. Opportunities abounded in fast-growing Dallas, and after a few years Betty took a part-time job in a small medical practice, beginning her path to a long and successful career in medical administration. She rose quickly from the do-it-all office helper to Office Manager.
In 1969, a new job prospect arose for Bob in East Texas, and the family moved to Longview, where Bob and Betty would spend the rest their lives. She worked in a number of local medical practices as Office Manager, eventually finishing her career with the Longview Cardiology Clinic alongside a wonderful team of administrators, nurses and physicians. Hard-working and self-taught, Betty was not only expert in financial and patient information systems but also the ever-more complex regulatory and insurance administration. But mostly she was just a great boss and co-worker and a friend to all.
Betty worked long days, leaving home early and returning late, for many years. She took little time for herself, keeping an immaculate home and always, always being a loving and supportive wife and mom. In retirement she still did part-time work and managed to keep a bountiful garden until Bob's declining health and her own physical challenges overcame her.
After Bob's death in 2009, Betty struggled mightily against her failing body for years, all the while maintaining great cheer and a strong connection with family, colleagues and friends. The cruel and relentless progress of Parkinson's Disease eventually prevailed, but the enduring, committed and loving support of those people extended her life for many happy days.
Betty was resilient, resourceful, patient, and above all loving. Remember her for her guiding words:
If you love somebody, tell them that you do. You'll never know when you won't get to say it again.
Betty is survived by: her brother Tom Mabry and his marvelous family; son Carl and his wife Darlene, their daughter Stephanie (husband Edwin Ramos) and son Jerry, and great-granddaughter Gabby; and son Clif and his wife Nancy, their daughter Dr. Lillian Shapiro (husband Dr. Mike), daughter Rose Moller-Jacobs (husband Anthony Grawe) and son Abraham. She is preceded in death husband Robert, her sister Velma Limon and an uncountable group of friends.
She is also survived by a huge community of loyal friends, too many to name, but especially "adopted" daughter Kim Cassin and her husband Mike, their daughter (and mom's best-in-class physician) Dr. Kathleen Weindorff; forever friends Lisa and Robert Langdon; as well as Tina, Stephanie and many who cared so wonderfully for Betty; and the faithful, supportive physicians, medical professionals and their families whom she had known over the years. May you all be truly blessed.
A service to celebrate Betty's life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, December 3, 2018 at the Chapel of Lakeview Funeral Home. A time of visitation and sharing with her family will be held in the gathering room at the funeral home immediately following the services.
