Betty was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas as the youngest of six children. After graduating high school in Fort Worth, she attended college at North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington, Texas. It was there that she met James (Jim) Rhotenberry. They dated until Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after Pearl Harbor. Following Jim’s discharge from the service, Betty and Jim resumed their courtship and were married on September 3, 1947. In 1949, they moved to Odessa where Jim began his career as a Petroleum Engineer. One year later, they moved to Midland where they made their home together for the next fifty five years and raised three children.
Betty was the ultimate Mom and Grandmother, good natured, devoted and generous. She loved to entertain and created a home that was full of life, love and fun for her family and friends. When her children were grown, she pursued an interest in Interior Design forming her own business, (BR Designs), that attracted numerous clients in West Texas. In later years, Betty and Jim focused their lives on grandchildren, travel, volunteering and bridge.
Betty had a strong faith and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. She and Jim were founding members of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and later became active members of First Presbyterian Church of Midland.
Betty was proceeded in death by her beloved Jim and her parents W.C. and Mabel Schutts, and brothers Jack, Robert, William and Lewis Schutts and sister Jane Crawford.
She is survived by her daughter Sally Rhotenberry of Makawao, Maui Hawaii, sons James R. Rhotenberry, Jr. and wife Claire of Midland and William M. Rhotenberry and wife Kathy of Plano. She is also survived by grandchildren Mele Ana Daniels, Elise Ansley and husband Mark, Harper Essex, Hudson Rhotenberry, Jordan Rhotenberry and Tucker Rhotenberry and great grandchildren, Mason and Oliver Ansley, Pierce and Elliot Essex, Elijah Fuentes and Makai Daniels.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Ellis Funeral Home. Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, July 13, 2018 at Resthaven Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers the family would be honored by memorials to First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Hospice of Midland or Manor Park.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to all of the nurses and staff at the Scharbauer House at Manor Park and the nurses of Hospice of Midland for the loving care they provided to Betty.
