Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Counce, 96, beloved mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother, went home to heaven on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. We are saddened by her passing but are rejoicing that she is in heaven with her Savior, Jesus Christ and all her loved ones who have gone before her. Betty is predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Jim; her mother and fathers, Olga and Polkie Childres, and Lester Knight; her sister, Joan Lowrie (Curtis); her daughter, Barbara Best (Tom); and her grandson, Jonathan Counce. Betty is survived by her son, Jim Counce (Brenda); her grandchildren, David Counce, Anna Counce Van Delden (Darren), and Rebekah Counce Braun (Stephen); her great grandchildren, Olivia and Lilliana Van Delden, Johnny Counce, and Pierson Schneider; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends. We are grateful for the valiant efforts of Franklin Park Sonterra Assisted Living, first responders, and North Central Baptist Hospital Emergency and Intensive Care Unit for giving us two very special bonus days with Betty.
Betty grew up in Sour Lake, Texas and graduated from Sour Lake High School at 15 where she was drum majorette her senior year. She attended the University of Texas at 16 and transferred to Lamar University to complete an associates degree in business. Betty married her husband, Jim, her high school sweetheart in 1951. She often said that they lived “a charmed life” as they traveled to England and around the US for Jim’s career in the USAF. Upon Jim’s Air Force retirement and settling in San Antonio permanently, Betty obtained her real estate and broker’s licenses and enjoyed a successful career working first at Guy Chipman and then later working with Jim at ReMax. Betty was a faithful member of Cornerstone Church for many years and often hosted a life group in her home. She was instrumental in the early stages of Stonecroft Ministries, a nondenominational ministry dedicated to bringing women to Christ and equipping them for the journey. Betty and six other women participated in the first Friendship Bible Coffee in the US and in San Antonio. Those seven ladies became the core of Christian Women’s Club in San Antonio and remained close friends for life. Following her retirement from real estate, Betty increased her involvement in Christian Women’s Club, often traveling to speak to other groups and share her testimony. She was also involved in the Red Hats group and the Sunshine Singers, ministering through song, locally and nationally at nursing homes. Betty enjoyed people and made wonderful, lasting friendships through her many and varied activities.
Betty loved flowers but she also loved her church and missions in particular. If you’d like to make a donation in her honor, please contribute to Cornerstone Church/ local missions.
Betty’s celebration of life will be Monday, February 10 at 1:00pm at Porter Loring Mortuary North with a reception to follow. The family will receive friends from 12-12:45pm.
