Betty was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, on August 20, 1930 to Fay Dort and Phillip F. Lesh. She grew up in Nocona, Texas, with two older sisters, Jane and Phyllis, and her beloved stepmother, Lucy Davis Lesh. She graduated from Nocona High School and went to Stephen College in Columbia, Missouri, for a year, before transferring to Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth, to be closer to home. Betty received a bachelor’s degree in education.
While attending TCU, Betty met and fell in love with Obe Thompson, a geology student also attending TCU. They married on July 18, 1951, and moved to Manchester, England, as Obe was in the United States Air Force. While they were stationed in England, their daughter, Jenny Ann, was born.
Upon returning from England, they lived in Fort Worth where their son, Phillip Obe, was born. After a time, they decided to buy a ranch in Central Texas just outside of Waco and began a cattle operation at Spring Valley Ranch, outside of Lorena, Texas. While Obe worked on the ranch, Betty returned to her educational roots and started teaching 2nd grade in Moody, Texas, for about 10 years.
Betty then returned to the role of homemaker and taking care of her family. During that time, she became a master baker and enjoyed joining her children in ranch life – riding horses, raising animals and taking care of the family Great Danes. Retired life then brought the joys of grandchildren and then great-grandchildren, who she loved with all her heart.
Betty is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Cliff Hamons, and her son and wife, Phillip and Jean Thompson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Julie (Jeff) Sirkin, Phillip (Jess) Thompson and Jessica (James) Murdock and great-grandchildren, Hannah and Chloe Sirkin, Elle and Luke Thompson, and Austin and Aubrey Murdock.
Betty fiercely loved her family and especially her grandchildren and their children. She was always proud of their accomplishments and loved to tell stories about their shenanigans.
The Thompson and Hamons families would like to thank the staff of Stoney Brook of Hewitt, where Betty lived in her last years, for their kind and compassionate care of our Mother. She was truly happy there and loved to shower the staff with praises and, of course, chocolates.
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