Betty Louise-Cloud Markert

Today we gather to celebrate the life of Betty “Lou” Cloud Markert - a woman whose love, strength, humor, and stubborn spirit shaped generations of our family. Betty was born on August 23, 1940, at the Rock Quarry in Leander. She was raised in Houston and later moved to Austin, where she met the love of her life, Clarence. The two were married on August 13, 1982, and built a life rooted in devotion, loyalty, and family.

Betty passed peacefully in her home, comforted by her beloved husband Clarence and her loving granddaughter Dana.

They say a woman carries a piece of every woman before her. I hope that’s true, because it will take all of us together to come close to carrying the strength, heart, and matriarchy that Betty created and upheld throughout her life. She took immense pride in being a wife to her husband and a mother not only to her children, but to anyone who needed one.

And somebody has to continue the family traditions she passed down, the anxiety of never wanting to be late, the insistence on arriving two hours early, and somehow always knowing how to get ink stains out of jeans.

If there’s one thing we all know for certain, it’s that Betty was going to do exactly what she wanted. Whether that meant going the extra mile to help someone she loved or heading out on a thrifting adventure just for the thrill of it, she lived life in motion. She was a busybody in the best possible way, always on the go, always with somewhere to be, and she loved every minute of it.

She loved getting ready for the day: putting on her lipstick, her Merle Norman makeup, carrying a new purse, or showing off a new pair of shoes. Once she made up her mind to go somewhere, whether to help somebody or buy something, there was no stopping her. Betty was stubborn, feisty, and wonderfully determined.

She also found joy in life’s simple routines and small comforts. Her iced tea was practically scheduled like clockwork, and her daily bowl of Buttered Pecan or 1905 Vanilla ice cream might as well have been a sacred ritual, shout out to H-E-B. She loved tending to her aloe vera plants, watching the birds, listening to country music, sewing, and spending afternoons watching Walker, Texas Ranger. You could often find her happily “piddling around,” content in the little moments that made up a beautiful life.

But above all else, Betty loved her family. She treasured every moment spent with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The love she gave so freely is the legacy she leaves behind.

Betty Cloud Markert was preceded in death by her son Bradley Cloud and daughter, Cheryl Cloud; grandchildren Sammy King and Tausha Cloud; her father, Warren Doyle; her mother, Willie Mae Lee Doyle; and her brother, Curtis Doyle.

She is survived by her loving husband, Clarence Markert; her children, Elisha Cloud and Karen Smith; and her grandchildren: Dena Braun, Dana Smith, Laura Shelton, Aaron Alacron, Country King, and Kellie Smith. She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren: NaHailey Cloud, Nathaniel Miller, Destiny Hernandez, Trinity Cloud, Dylan Braun, Nichole Hernandez, Ethan Cart, Taylor Roseland, and Vance Jones. Her great-great-grandchildren: Rosaliegh Cruz, Emma Primeaux, Arya King, Cash Miller, Aiden Long, Mathias Miller, Ophelia Montez, Ryker Miller, and Carter Fredrick. As well as her brothers Jimmy Doyle, Jerry Doyle, and Benny Doyle, along with many dearly loved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Betty will be deeply missed, but the life she built, the lessons she taught, and the love she gave will continue through every one of us.

Family and friends are invited to attend a post funeral reception dinner between 3:00-3:30pm at Casa Garcia's, 15803 Windermere Dr #604, Pflugerville, TX 78660. The meal is free of charge (no alcoholic beverages included.)