Betty Jean Bilberry Rowell

Betty Jean (Bilberry) Rowell LUBBOCK-Born on Oct. 16, 1935, to Arthur Johnson and Sallie Laura (Taylor) Bilberry in Roaring Springs, Texas. Betty had one brother, Weldon Eleck Bilberry, who was nine years older and one sister, Glenda Fae Bilberry, who was seven years younger. Betty was baptized at the age of seven in a tank north of Spur, Texas. The family lived in Spur until July, 1951, when they moved to Lubbock. She met Gilbert Rowell on a blind date set up by her friend, Joyce Connell. After dating for only two weeks, Gilbert proposed to her on her birthday, giving her an engagement ring at the Hi-D-Ho Drive In on North College Avenue. They married on Dec. 25, 1951, and moved to Pensacola, Fla., where Gilbert was stationed in the Navy. Their first son, Arthur Loyd nicknamed Al, was born, Nov. 29, 1952.

In February, 1953, Gilbert and Betty were involved in a severe motor vehicle accident resulting in the death of their three month old son and leaving them in critical condition. Betty had to remain in the hospital in traction for 6 months and Gilbert had to have surgery to remove half of his left lung. The doctors told them they would not be able to have any more children.

They moved back to Lubbock after Gilbert was discharged from the Navy in September, 1953. On May 9, 1956, Casandra Lea Rowell was born and on April 5, 1960, Randall Roy Rowell was born. Betty remained at home to raise her children selling Avon products to supplement the household income. As the children grew older and started going to school, she started worked away from home. After working for TG&Y, SnapShots, Inc., and Hallmark Stores, Betty returned to school. At the urging of her sister, Glenda Fae, Betty and Randy attended South Plains College School of Vocational Nursing. In 1985 at the age of 50, Betty graduated with Randy as the first mother/son team in the school's history. They also had the highest grades in their class. Betty provided home health care for several clients after receiving her LVN license.

The Rowells were members of several Nazarene and Baptist churches over the years. Betty served as a Sunday School Teacher and church secretary. In her later years, she was a member of the Agape Sunday School Class at Focal Pointe Fellowship (Bellaire Baptist Church). Betty lived by herself for 11 years after Gilbert passed away in 2002 after 50 years of marriage. She lived her final 4 years at Heartland House Assisted Living. The family would like to give a special thank you to all the wonderful staff who provided such good care for her. On July 13, 2016 at 8:45am, Betty passed from this world and slipped peacefully into Heaven.

Those preceding her in death: Betty's infant son; mother and father; brother and sister; her husband; and a great-granddaughter (Tenley Rose Jones). Those surviving her include her daughter, Candy Rowell Carroll and husband, Lonny Wayne Carroll, and her son, Randy Rowell. Two granddaughters, Cassy Jean Carroll Schronk and husband, Kenneth Dwayne Schronk; Caity Lea Jones and husband Jon Vinson Jones. Five great-grandchildren: Kolten Taylor Schronk, ten years old; Caylee Paige Schronk, seven years old; Conner Lawson Schronk, two years old; Beau Vinson Jones, two years old; and Saylor Rose Jones, eight months old.

Thank you for all the love and care shown to us during this time. We were blessed to have had our Nana be a big part of our lives. We love her very much.