Betty Friend Cordes

It is with heartfelt love and affection we announce Betty F. Cordes, 102, peacefully passed away on Saturday, October 31. 2026, at her home in Sugar Land from natural causes. She was born October 15, 1924, in Sugar Land.

Betty graduated from Sugar Land High School and attended business school. She met the love of her life and married Captain Roy Cordes, Army Air Corps, in 1944. Betty moved with her husband to several air bases until 1950. She and her husband owned and operated Cordes Cleaners and several other businesses in Sugar Land from 1950 to 1981. Betty valued her strong faith in God, country, family and community. She demonstrated her values by serving Sugar Land Methodist Church as a volunteer and Sunday School teacher, her son’s schools, and support of her husband when he served on the school board, and as a councilman and later mayor of Sugar Land. Upon retirement in 1981 she and her husband followed their dream and enjoyed many driving trips and flights to see all parts of the U.S. She enjoyed good health and continued to support friends and family until well into her 101st year.

She was a member of the Eastern Star.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Leo Friend and Helen Dunkerly Friend, and her husband of 69 years, Roy Cordes, Sr., Sisters Catherine Bannahan and Beverly Wappler, and brother John Friend. Family who cherish her memory include her son, Roy L. Cordes Jr., special niece Jill Wappler (and husband Lance Butler), step-granddaughters, Katherine Copeland Ottmers (and husband Jeffrey), Allison Copeland Roberts (and husband Jason), step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews along with a host of other loving family members and friends. Special thanks to her loving caregivers during her last months, Cindy Camacho, Janie Vega, Margaret Delgado, and Alya Chavez.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, November 6, at 3:00 p.m. at Sugar Land Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd., Sugar Land. A private graveside service for the family will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorials be made to Houston Hospice, Sugar Land Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.