Betty (née Bentschner) Henderson Meng

Our mother and great and grandmother, Betty (née Bentschner) Henderson Meng, peacefully left this life on March 12, 2013 to begin the next stage of her journey with the Lord and to be reunited with many of those she loves.

Throughout her life she revealed her strong trust in a loving God. She loved her family and friends, she enjoyed serving as a docent at the McNay Art Museum, and she enjoyed playing golf as well. Although claiming all her life that she was neither competitive nor beautiful, she will nevertheless be remembered as a talented and beautiful lady who invariably became a champion, always with a mischievous sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, US Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Charles Andrew Henderson, by her second husband Brigadier General (USAF-Ret.) William Jones Meng, and by their son, William Jones Meng, Jr. She was preceded in death also by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Louis Bentschner and by her brothers, Raphael Louis Bentschner, Jr. and Raphael Bentschner.

Betty Meng is survived by her brother-in-law Charles Henry Meng; sister-in-law Betty Ann Henderson Ennis, niece Linda Ennis Johnson and nephew Robert Ennis; by sister-in-law Marie Jane Struss Bentschner, nephew Paul Bentschner and niece Sue Bentschner MacIsaac; by daughter-in-law Tamara Phillips Meng Koperda, granddaughters Sarah Elizabeth Meng and Amanda Hutson Meng; by her own daughter Ann Henderson (Andy) Meng Whitehouse , by granddaughter Elisabeth Kyle Whitehouse Cassady and husband Jackson Terrence Cassady, great-grandchildren Lukas Jackson Cassady, Lili Michael Cassady, and Saylor Kohlman Cassady; and by granddaughter Anna Luke Whitehouse Bartee and husband USAF Lt. Col. Brian Yates Bartee, great-grandchildren Brady Grace Bartee, Lauren Elisabeth Bartee, Ellie Claire Bartee, and Avery Faith Bartee. Betty Meng is also survived by treasured long-time friend of the family Connie Garcia.

Grand was born in Savannah, Georgia on February 8, 1923 and grew up in Tampa, Florida. She married her high-school sweetheart Charles Andrew Henderson on February 14, 1944. He was killed in action on April 7, 1945, a few weeks before the birth of their daughter Andy.

Two years later, a handsome USAF pilot, Lt. Col. William Jones Meng, won her heart, and they married at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Tampa, Florida on April 19, 1947. The family became complete on March 9, 1948 with the birth of a beloved son, William Jones Meng, Jr.

The Meng family enjoyed life as the USAF sent them all over the globe together. No matter where they called home, Betty brought up her children to love God and to be thoughtful of others, and she encouraged them to pursue higher education.

In recent years, Betty enjoyed church, art, and golf, as well as family and friends. She has continued to encourage education and art through philanthropic gifts where she saw the need. For those desiring to do so, gifts to the McNay Art Museum Modern Art Print Collection (6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 824-5368) or to the Episcopal Church of Reconciliation (8900 Starcrest, San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 655-2731) would honor her memory.

Very special thanks for loving care go to the fine staff of the Army Residence Community, who love and dignify not only those in their care but also the residents’ family members. Thanks also to Odyssey Hospice whose loving care was invaluable.

A memorial service will be held on April 8, 2013 at 1:30 PM, Episcopal Church of Reconciliation, 8900 Starcrest, San Antonio, TX 78217 to celebrate the ongoing life in Christ of Betty B. Meng. A reception in the parish hall will follow, 2:30-3:30 PM. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.