Betty Jeanette Berchelmann

Reflecting on what I’ve accomplished, I never wanted to get to the end of the road and wish I had done more. I’m content with my contributions. I grew up in a loving household with parents who did their best to teach us values, character, respect, the importance of critical thinking, humor, forgiveness, inclusion, and a reverence for nature and all living things (except maybe roaches and mosquitoes.) My late Dad always told us there are more good people than bad - I still believe that’s true. I’ve had the best son, Blake, beautiful mom, brothers, Johnny and Chris, sister, Kathleen, family and loyal friends anyone could ask for. Blessed beyond measure,

In my mid-20’s I worked for a civil rights firm in Houston, Nelkin & Nelkin. Almost everything we did was upheld by the fifth circuit court of appeals and back then there seemed to be more balance between rule of law and common sense.

I married Duff Plemmons in 1979 and together we produced two beautiful children, Kristin, and Blake. What an incredible gift, - we were wildly happy. When Duff died, there was a long period of grief for us, but soon I knew I had to become future-focused and to provide for my young family I went back to school and received my Bachelors. I didn’t stop there, I knew what I needed to maintain my household and protect my very young children from worry. I became a specialty rep for two different Pharma companies. Despite a lot of travel, guilt, and regret. I did extremely well mainly because I cared more about the patients than my pocketbook. Almost 10 years later, the unthinkable happened with Kristin dying because of a drunk driver. Blake and I were blindsided by the unexpected cruelty of life, but I had a choice to make…do I get knocked down into the abyss of anger, bitterness and woe as a mindset, or do I seek joy and work to regain equilibrium? Do I set an example of determination and resilience? I chose joy and faked it until I made it. To help, I got busy; I continued to volunteer for the Conservation Society during Fiesta mostly selling venison sausage on a stick, I joined several boards, especially those focused on water/land conservation and advocacy for children. I collected toys at Christmas and took those generous loads to the children’s shelter so they would know there were those who care. Around 2005 I started Concerts at Betty’s house concert series to bring original works of songwriting into my home. Joy lingered for days, and I made many new friends. This stretched on for another 20 years or so. Boy. Did we have fun. In 2010, under the auspices of our State Department, I became a citizen diplomat, and hosted, at my dining table, guests from literally all over the world to foster friendship snd cultural understanding, Another most honored and wonderful experience. I rounded out my life by going back to grad school and becoming a mental health counselor, I hope I made a difference. I’ve written a book (2 versions) and hope some of you will want to read the messages of hope and redemption I have left for you and your children.

I love everybody, and, truly, all you need is love. pay attention to how things make you feel; guard against hatred anger, despair, being critical and. judgmental, making assumptions, jealousy, being suspicious, feeling less than, and resentful. My God is a God of love and none of those dark feelings are generated from a place sourced by light. I’ve had a great life!

A visitation with be held at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave., 78209. A Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 600 Oblate Dr., 78216. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.