Betty was born in Durant Oklahoma on 7/27/37. She married Calvin L. Thomas in 1956. They were married for 40 years until his death in September 1996. During their marriage, Calvin and Betty moved around until he retired from the Navy in 1968. They settled down in Lubbock, Texas where together they raised 6 kids.
Betty was a homemaker and loved to bake. She would always say, “Nothing says lovin’ like something from the oven.” We will miss her red velvet and rum cakes. She worked in retail, with her longest position being in the Men’s Department at Hemphill-Wells department store. She also worked at J.C. Penney’s and Dunlaps.
Calvin would say what he loved the most about her was that she could make a friend out of anybody and that she could see the good in anybody. Friends would often become family to her. After Calvin passed away, she married Larry Wheeler in 2005. Her and Larry moved to Brownwood, Texas, where they had 9 happy years until his death in July of 2014.
She was preceded in death by her husband Calvin L. Thomas, Sr., her son Joey Thomas, her son Calvin (Skip) L. Thomas, Jr., and her husband Larry Wheeler. She is survived by her son Roy Thomas, her daughter Tina McKinney (Brad), son James Young, daughter Deanna Dial, grandchildren Chip Thomas, David Thomas, Shannon McCuaig, Tiffany Perez, Joni Manon and Monica Maloney.
Memorials can be made to Methodist Children's Home in Waco, Texas. 1111 Herring Ave Waco, Texas 76708 1-800-853-1272 or mch.org
A visitation for Betty will be held on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, from 12 PM – 1 PM at with a funeral service to follow at 1 PM at the Resthaven Funeral Home Abbey Chapel with interment to follow, in Lubbock, Texas.
